SZA Leads Artists In The Fight Against AI Music

Grammy-winning artist SZA is taking a firm and public stand against the use of artificial intelligence in creative fields, particularly when it involves her own voice and likeness. The "Snooze" singer has directly asked her fans to stop creating AI-generated images and songs, sparking a wider conversation among artists about the technology's impact.

SZA's Environmental and Ethical Concerns

In a series of posts on her Instagram Stories, SZA made her position clear: “Hey, I hate AI. Please don’t make any AI images of me or songs.”

Her reasoning goes beyond creative integrity, touching on significant environmental and social issues. “People and children are dying from the harm and pollution that AI energy centers are creating,” she explained. “A stupid photo is not worth polluting and harming underserved communities.”

This claim is supported by research from MIT, which highlights that AI model training consumes massive amounts of electricity and water, contributing to carbon emissions and straining natural resources. SZA emphasized this point, stating, “Please know every time you use or prompt AI, someone in a forgotten community is suffering. Eventually, the effects will reach everyone. By then, it’ll be too late.”

The Music Industry Reacts to AI Artists

The conversation intensified as SZA commented on the reported multimillion-dollar record deal signed by Xania Monet, an AI-generated artist. “I don’t f**k with this either. Why devalue our music???” she questioned. The fact that Monet is depicted as a Black woman in the R&B space, a genre historically shaped by Black female artists, adds another layer of complexity and concern for many.

A Growing Chorus of Concern

SZA is not alone in her apprehension. Several other prominent artists have voiced their opposition to the encroachment of AI into creative spaces.

Singer Kehlani also spoke out against the trend, stating, “Nothing and no one on Earth will ever be able to justify AI to me. I don’t respect it.”

Similarly, Chlöe Bailey, of Chlöe x Halle fame, took to Twitter to express her dismay. “AI musical artists and songs? I feel AI should be banned when it comes to the creative spaces… This makes me sad,” she wrote. The collective sentiment from these artists signals a growing resistance to AI's role in the future of music and art, prioritizing human creativity and ethical responsibility.