By: REnae Richardson
Is AI the enemy destined to derail the dreams of artists? Or is it simply the next leap in technology—not meant to supplant creativity but to aid in the transcendence of art? Everyone has their own ideologies and arguments to support their stance. However, nothing provides more insight into how technological expansion has impacted the thoughts and movements of artists than hearing from the artists themselves. Ice-T has weighed in on the advancement of AI and what it means for the entertainment industry.
A Balanced Perspective
Ice T. Image Source: Steve Vaccariello/ FOX Television
Ice-T, who has spent years working within the entertainment industry in both music and film, has sparked conversation with recent comments made on social media. His statements regarding AI were neither condemnatory nor entirely supportive. Instead, they offered an acknowledgment of where the industry currently stands and a realistic assessment of how advancing technology has impacted the landscape.
In his statements, he admits that at this point in history, the adoption of AI is almost a necessity for those working on the production side of the music industry. His support stems from the idea that the costs of committing to production efforts normalized in the past far exceed the rewards. Logically, it makes more sense to move with the tide of technological advancement, which means accepting AI and its place in the current landscape.
The Music Industry Reality
Per Afrotech, the veteran artist had this to say:
“The days of the expensive videos are over. There isn’t an MTV. AI is the only sensible way to add visuals to a song. You can hate it all you want. It’s the Future.”
He further drove home the point by identifying the current streaming model and the earnings potential of artists versus investment.
“Fans want us to make and produce the music. Then shoot an expensive video…Then they get it for free if they have an Apple subscription. Or Spotify pays us .007 a stream. AI is the only sensible way to add visuals to a song. You can hate it all you want, it’s the future.”
As with facts, there is no reasonable way to deny them.
A Grimmer Outlook for Acting
That was not the only thing the long-time Law & Order: SVU star commented on. He went on to discuss how AI could potentially impact the film and television sector. These sentiments were considerably more grim. He [Ice T.] hypothesizes that AI could spell doom for those with pursuits in acting:
“I honestly believe we may be the last generation of Real actors… The future has no regard for personal jobs… Ask Kodak film… Or Blockbuster Video.”
This is likely a far more contentious argument than the one made for AI and its impact on the music industry. Few will willingly accept something that appears to be a means of diminishing an entire field of endeavor. This is what causes people to rage against the machine—to fight against the uncertainty of progress.
Technology’s Role in Hip-Hop’s Evolution
Per the artist’s argument, the adoption of AI will certainly have its benefits and its downsides. He recognizes that technological development has played a monumental part in how far hip-hop has come:
“People had the same problem with drum machines and synthesizers. Hip hop would not exist without tech.”
Some may choose to acknowledge this reality or not. The proof is in the music—in the transcendence of sound, in the advancement of production values with reduced effort without a total sacrifice of quality.
The Future Is Now
Ice-T goes on to contend that this technological wave is one that will not go away. This is the future. This is what will usher the world into its next standard regarding craft. Being ahead of the curve requires this understanding. According to Afrotech, he doubled down on this by reemphasizing a quote made by the late Quincy Jones regarding technological leaps.
More and more artists are choosing the side on which they stand. What the future landscape will look like remains a great mystery, as it always has been. What separates the winners from the losers in whatever reality eventually presents itself—given what is known quantitatively and qualitatively—is picking a side and standing firm on it, as Ice-T and others have demonstrated.
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