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Nile Rodgers hits back at critics of his use of AI in new music video: “You’re being hypocritical”
Developing story first seen 4 hours ago
New coverage adds Rodgers’s explanation of the video’s purpose: he made it to bring festive joy to children who are ill or bedridden, inspired by a child who encouraged him during his first bout of cancer. He defended using AI after followers criticised the decision, calling their objections “hypocritical” because they also use AI in everyday services.
The video accompanies his 2020 charity track “The Christmas Song” with Rebecca Ferguson and is due for release on 20 November. Rodgers said he and his director created the mood boards and storyboards, then used AI to build each scene; he estimated a traditional film version would have cost about $100,000.
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In short
- Rodgers says the video aims to cheer ill children over the holidays.
- It features his 2020 charity song with Rebecca Ferguson.
- He says a traditional film would have cost about $100,000.
How this story developed
- 2 hours ago Nile Rodgers has defended using artificial intelligence to create visuals for a music video after followers criticised his decision. He called the criticism “hypocritical”, arguing that people use AI in everyday services while objecting to his use of it in a creative project.
- 2 hours ago New coverage adds Rodgers’s explanation of the video’s purpose: he made it to bring festive joy to children who are ill or bedridden, inspired by a child who encouraged him during his first bout of cancer.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Using AI let Rodgers create a festive video for children who are ill or confined to bed, while keeping costs far below those of a traditional production. He and his director supplied the creative direction, and he argues that criticising this use while relying on AI in everyday services is inconsistent.
The case against
Critics may accept that the charitable aim is worthwhile while still objecting to AI-generated imagery, particularly if they believe it can displace human artists or obscure how creative work is made. Everyday use of AI services does not necessarily mean endorsing AI in artistic production, where questions of authorship and its effects on creative workers are especially salient.
Explained simply
Nile Rodgers is an American musician, songwriter and producer, best known as a founding member of the disco band Chic and for working with artists including David Bowie. Rebecca Ferguson is a British singer who features on Rodgers’s charity track “The Christmas Song”, released in 2020.
AI tools can generate or alter images and video from instructions, and their use in creative work has prompted debate about authorship, jobs and how images are made. Rodgers says he and the video’s director planned its scenes before using AI to create them, and has pointed to the lower cost compared with a traditional production.
The video is linked to Rodgers’s experience of cancer and his wish to bring enjoyment to children who are ill or unable to leave bed. The discussion touches on how charities and artists can make work on limited budgets, as well as where audiences draw the line on AI in music and film.
Coverage · 2 sources
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