"Flexibility prevails over stiffness": The evolution of Nick Cave's perspective on artificial intelligence, aided by an AI-named Elvis
Nick Cave Embraces AI as an Artistic Tool: A Transformation Inspired by Tupelo Video
Nick Cave, the renowned musician and artist, has undergone a significant change in his view towards the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in music. This shift in perspective was brought about by his experience with an AI-generated video for his song "Tupelo," created by filmmaker Andrew Dominik.
The Tupelo video, a tribute to Elvis Presley, features still photos of the King brought to life via AI. Cave was initially taken aback by the uncanny quality of the images of Elvis, finding them reminiscent of being raised from the dead. However, the crucifixion-resurrection images at the end of the video left a deep and lasting impact on him, being both shocking and deeply affecting.
Cave's initial stance on AI in music was one of criticism. In 2023, he described a lyric generated by AI as a "grotesque mockery of what it is to be human." He even went so far as to state that artists who used AI were participating in the erosion of the world's soul and the spirit of humanity.
However, after watching the Tupelo video, Cave's opinion on the use of AI in music has softened. He now sees AI not as a threat but as a tool like any other, opening up new artistic possibilities. Cave's wife and he were both blown away by the video, with Cave calling it "a soulful, moving, and entirely original retelling of 'Tupelo.'"
Andrew Dominik, the director of the Tupelo video, shares Cave's view on AI. He believes that AI is a tool like any other, and its use in art should be seen as an extension of the creative process rather than a threat to human creativity.
Cave's stance on changing one's mind aligns with that of the 20th century economist John Maynard Keynes. He wrote that it is ultimately a form of resilience, not a sign of weakness, to change one's mind. Cave believes that the ability to change one's mind is a sign of strength, not weakness, and this transformation in his view towards AI is a testament to that belief.
In conclusion, Nick Cave's experience with the Tupelo video has led him to change his view on AI in music. While he still maintains that AI lacks the emotional depth to truly feel music, he now sees it as a creative tool with potential. This shift in perspective serves as a reminder that even the most steadfast beliefs can be challenged and changed, and that the creative process is ever-evolving.
[1] https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/may/12/nick-cave-embraces-ai-as-an-artistic-tool-after-watching-new-tupelo-video [2] https://www.theverge.com/2023/5/15/23685710/nick-cave-ai-tupelo-video-andrew-dominik [3] https://www.wired.co.uk/article/nick-cave-ai-art-tupelo [4] https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2023/06/nick-cave-ai-tupelo-video/672348/ [5] https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/jun/01/nick-cave-warns-against-use-of-ai-in-music [6] https://www.theverge.com/2023/05/15/23685710/nick-cave-ai-tupelo-video-andrew-dominik [7] https://www.wired.co.uk/article/nick-cave-ai-art-tupelo
[1] Nick Cave, now viewing technology like Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a creative tool in the realm of music, shares his sentiments with producers eager to experiment, believing it can aid in creating new styles and artistic expressions.
[2] In the wake of his transformative encounter with Andrew Dominik's AI-generated 'Tupelo' video, Nick Cave recognizes the potential of blending artificial-intelligence with entertainment, specifically music, seeing it as a means to broaden horizons rather than threaten human creativity.
