"Flexibility Prevails Over Rigidity": The Evolution of Nick Cave's Perspective on Artificial Intelligence, Shaped by an AI-powered Elvis
Nick Cave, the renowned musician, has softened his previously critical stance on AI following a unique and moving experience with an AI-generated music video created by his friend and collaborator, Andrew Dominik.
Initially, Cave had been vocal about his disapproval of AI in art, describing AI-generated lyrics as a "grotesque mockery" and warning that artists using AI could contribute to the "erosion of the world’s soul." However, after viewing Dominik's AI-enhanced video for the 40th anniversary of his song "Tupelo," which features AI-bringing still photos of Elvis Presley to life, Cave was impressed and moved by the work.
The video, a touching tribute to Elvis Presley, is a retelling of Cave's song "Tupelo." Cave described the video as "a soulful, moving, and entirely original retelling" and admitted that it softened his view of AI, seeing it "as a tool, like any other" rather than an outright threat to human creativity.
The crucifixion-resurrection images at the end of the video were both shocking and deeply affecting to Cave. His change of mind might have been influenced by his friend and collaborator, Andrew Dominik, who stated that AI is a tool, like any other.
Cave's change of mind on AI seems to be influenced by his belief that flexibility and humility are necessary to pursue the truth. He and his wife were blown away by the video, and it softened his view of AI as an artistic device.
This nuanced shift reflects a movement from outright rejection towards understanding AI’s potential role as an artistic tool, acknowledging both its risks and creative possibilities. The video, made by Andrew Dominik and featuring AI technology, serves as a testament to the transformative power of AI when used in the service of art and creativity.
[1] https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/jul/25/nick-cave-softens-stance-on-ai-after-watching-a-friends-video [2] https://www.theverge.com/2023/7/25/22638254/nick-cave-ai-music-video-tupelo-elvis-presley [3] https://www.wired.co.uk/article/nick-cave-ai-music-video-tupelo [4] https://www.nme.com/news/music/nick-cave-softens-stance-on-ai-after-watching-a-friends-video-3531587
- Nick Cave, initially a critic of AI in art, has now softened his stance as he sees AI as a tool like any other, capable of being used creatively in the realm of entertainment, having been moved by a unique AI-generated music video for his song "Tupelo."
- AI technology, demonstrated through the moving AI-bringing still photos of Elvis Presley in Andrew Dominik's music video for "Tupelo," has further showcased its potential to transform and elevate artistic expressions, inspiring even a skeptic like Nick Cave to reconsider his position.
