Music & Audio

will.i.am compares AI in music to 1970s sampling debates, predicting it'll evolve from today's "slop"—generic outputs—to sophisticated, autonomous creation in 20 years. He highlights ethical issues: AI trains on human music without compensation, echoing cleared samples in hip-hop. As an ASU professor, he teaches students to build personal AI agents using GPUs, emphasizing data ownership like a digital bank account. In a fragmented streaming era, where TikTok virality trumps communal hits, live improv becomes key to authenticity against deepfakes. His career, from Black Eyed Peas to solo work, shows tech amplifies creativity if regulated right.