Grimes Addresses Backlash After Allowing Others to Use Her Voice in AI Art

Grimes speaks out against the backlash surrounding AI in her art and reinforces the importance of consent in its ethical usage.

Canadian producer Grimes has been known to incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI) in her art and creative processes. In her recent Tik Tok video, she candidly shared her views on the hot topic that has been highly debated in the entertainment industry.

In the clip that spans close to the minutes, Grimes shares that she incorporates many aspects of AI in her work because she “wants to troubleshoot what works and what doesn’t” in terms of its augmentation, challenges, and making our lives better. She acknowledged that one of the big controversies this year is allowing other artists to use her voice in other projects. Strongly advocates the stance that “consent is essential,” she reinforces that it is pertinent to respect the use of an individual’s brand and IP especially where AI ethics is concerned.

In another section, Grimes also spoke about the topic of deepfakes and the importance of protecting individuals and the integrity of information. While acknowledging the benefits of deepfakes in expanding the creativity and exposure of art, allowing greater accessibility to content that otherwise would not have been heard of, she was quick to reiterate that consent is key. Specifically, she cited examples where people who wrote and produced songs using her voice were able to benefit from the “Grimes promotional machine”

In a follow-up clip spanning close to two minutes, Grimes went on to share about a case study of the documentary Deep Blue where AI was utilized perfectly and in a “pro-human” way. As someone who “really really believes in low-tech zones.” Grimes emphasized that this concept essentially prioritizes human interaction and allows humans to foster closer social connections and a greater sense of belonging.

As AI is her “lifelong passion,” Grimes’ opinions about AI and its ethics are interesting and beneficial to all creative individuals. As this topic becomes increasingly relevant and its wide range of ramifications in the areas of risks, societal impacts, and technological advancements, it is critical to understand the development of AI as it continues to permeate various aspects of our lives.