Will.i.am on AI's impact on music: The AI that we're concerned about isn't here yet

Summary

Will.i.am joins Squawk Box to discuss how AI is reshaping music creation, consumption, and the economics of the industry. He argues AI music will become indistinguishable from human music, live performance will gain value, streaming has devalued music, and personal AI agents will become essential. He also describes teaching students at Arizona State to build their own agents with Nvidia GPUs and calls for ownership and regulation of digital likeness.

• AI is a mixed bag for music, with 'AI slop' and new creative possibilities.
• Sampling and past reimaginations are a precedent for AI music debates.
• DSPs have devalued the worth of music and shortened trends.
• Live and human-made performances may become more valuable as AI music improves.
• Fragmentation and TikTok have made sustained superstars harder.
• Personal AI agents will be needed for jobs and daily life.
• ASU students are building own agents using Nvidia GPUs.
• Data ownership, likeness, and regulation are key emerging issues.