Peter Hook, the renowned bassist from Joy Division and New Order, has lashed out at the looming prospect of artificial intelligence (AI) being used in widespread music creation. Speaking on the XS Noize podcast, Hook added his name to the growing list of artists who are coming out against what they perceive as a threat posed by AI to the traditions of human creativity in music.
Hook’s remarks come at a time when the music industry is increasingly exploring AI for songwriting, production, and performance. However, Hook views this technological shift with scepticism. He argues that AI cannot capture the artistry and emotional depth that human songwriters infuse into their work. “Songwriting is an art that can’t be taught,” Hook asserted. “Every AI song I’ve heard is rubbish. They lack the intangible essence that human beings bring to music.”
The bassist also picked out David Bowie for praise for his individual songwriting process, and expressed concern that the present day risks losing similarly prolific songwriting figures. “When you look at someone as good as David Bowie at writing songs and marvel; “‘Drive-in Saturday’, ‘The Prettiest Star’. The guy was a genius. Songwriting is an art you cannot teach.” Hook said.
“Every AI song that has ever been written is shit,” Hook continued. “It’s full of them, but they’re crap because there’s something intangible that human beings have that a song captures.”
Hook is not alone in his criticism of AI in music. Many artists have expressed concerns about the impact of AI on creativity and the music industry. Nick Cave, for example, famously wrote a letter in response to a fan’s submission on AI-generated lyrics prompted ‘in the style of Nick Cave’, calling it a “grotesque parody of what it means to be human.” Similarly, members of Guns N’ Roses, including Slash and Duff McKagan, have voiced their reservations, with Slash noting that AI in music “does not really thrill me.” The Who frontman Roger Daltrey has also proffered that AI “will destroy the music industry if we’re not careful.”
The debate over AI in music extends beyond artists, with record labels and streaming platforms also being cautious about the technology. Earlier this year, Sony Music sent a letter to over 700 firms asking them to disclose any use of their material to train AI systems.
Hook’s criticism, however, leaves out the most prominent and influential use of AI in the music industry in the form of recommendation algorithms, which have come under criticism for favouring bigger artists and allowing paid promotions of music. But despite the backlash, some younger artists have embraced AI, with a clear divide in opinion towards AI falling along generational lines. Grimes notably invited fans to use AI generated versions of her voice in their own music, while James Blake has also said that AI is “going to open up a lot of possibilities for composition”.
