The final Beatles song, Now and Then, has been released using AI technology to enhance the vocals of the late John Lennon, with experts cautiously optimistic about the broader implications of this technology in the music industry. Read The Full Article
Key Points
1. Now and Then was recorded in the late 1970s by John Lennon but remained unfinished until the surviving Beatles members used AI technology to clean up the demo’s audio track.
2. The technology used was the same as what director Peter Jackson utilized in his Beatles docuseries, Get Back, to isolate and enhance different audio elements.
3. While the release of new material and the restoration of old recordings are positive outcomes of this technology, there is concern about its potential misuse and creating artificial versions of artists’ voices.
Key Insight
The use of AI technology in music production and restoration has the potential to both revive lost recordings and raise ethical questions about authenticity and artistic integrity.
Why This Matters
The release of Now and Then showcases the power of AI technology in enhancing and restoring music, bringing new recognition to lost artists and preserving their work. However, it also raises important ethical considerations about how this technology should be utilized to preserve the artistic intent of the original creators.
Notable Quote
“I hope that we don’t now use this isolated vocal track that we have of John Lennon to then build this sort of homunculus John Lennon, made up of all the parts of him that we found lying around.” – Niko Stratis
