Nick Cave has launched a fresh attack on artificial intelligence, describing song-generating platforms as a musician's "final, most soul-destroying humiliation".
Having previously insisted that the AI platform ChatGPT should "f*** off and leave songwriting alone", the 69-year-old singer-songwriter warned that automated music generators "mock creation itself by rendering humanity unnecessary".
Writing on his blog, The Red Hand Files, the singer expressed deep concerns regarding the technology's broader impact.
"Song generator platforms are, in my view, indicators of this nascent technology’s demonic potential to hollow out human endeavour and sever our connection to the divine," he wrote.
"They mock creation itself by rendering humanity unnecessary, taking the fruits of human striving and reducing them to mere products. It is, perhaps, our final, most soul-destroying humiliation.
“For those eager to rid the world of problematic artists - for these censorious forces remain persistent - it is surely cause for celebration, as these platforms promise to rid the world of artists altogether."
Cave noted he remains uncertain whether AI will "save the world, annihilate it, or do something in between", but explained how it challenges assumptions about art.
"We cannot separate the art from the artists, for they are as inseparable as the waves from the sea they rise from. That may be an uncomfortable truth for some but, for me, the matter was settled," he stated.
"Until now. With the advent of song generation platforms, the thorny issue has been upended. At last, the artist can be separated from the art. Not just that, the artist – that flawed, messy, broken, woeful, joyful problem - can be removed from the equation altogether, like so much dross."
Although The Bad Seeds frontman has consistently criticised AI — previously calling it "unbelievably disturbing" and warning of a "humiliating effect" on creative industries — he admitted his view shifted "to some extent".
The shift followed an AI video marking the 40th anniversary of his song Tupelo, created by filmmaker Andrew Dominik, 59, who animated still images. Cave commented: "As I watched Andrew’s surreal little film, I felt my view of AI as an artistic device soften. To some extent, my mind was changed."
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