Khalid shared his opinion regarding tracks that use artificial intelligence technology.
“I have mixed feelings about it,” he told TMZ over the weekend. “I feel like AI is definitely going to be a helpful tool, and it’s one of those things that you can’t escape. Hopefully, you know, I get to still have my job for a long time.”
The 25-year-old singer said AI might detract from artistic creation, directly impacting his work as a musician.
“I feel like it takes away the authenticity, and that’s something that I really value about myself,” he shared.
Khalid also said he is not interested in tracks imitating artists who have died.
“I respect all the music for what it is, and I think I’m fine,” he said. “I appreciate the legends as they are.”
Khalid’s comments come as “Heart on My Sleeve,” an AI-generated track using the voices of Drake and The Weeknd, recently went viral on social media. The creator, “Ghostwriter,” said the song was created using software trained to use musicians’ voices, the BBC reported.
Streaming platforms pulled the track as Universal Music Group — Drake and The Weeknd’s label — cited copyright infringement concerns.
“The training of generative AI using our artists’ music (which represents both a breach of our agreements and a violation of copyright law) as well as the availability of infringing content created with generative AI on DSPs [digital service providers], begs the question as to which side of history all stakeholders in the music ecosystem want to be on: the side of artists, fans and human creative expression, or on the side of deep fakes, fraud and denying artists their due compensation,” UMG said in a statement.
“These instances demonstrate why platforms have a fundamental legal and ethical responsibility to prevent the use of their services in ways that harm artists,” UMG continued. “We’re encouraged by the engagement of our platform partners on these issues-as. They recognize they need to be part of the solution.”
Artists have split opinions regarding the use of AI in musical creation, and Grimes recently spoke in favor of the technology.
“I’ll split 50% royalties on any successful AI-generated song that uses my voice. Same deal as I would with any artist I collab with. Feel free to use my voice without penalty,” she tweeted, indicating she has no legal obligations due to being signed to a label.
“I think it’s cool to be fused w a machine, and I like the idea of open-sourcing all art and killing copyright,” she added.
