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While some visual artists are fighting back against generative AI companies in court, other mainstream artists are rapidly embracing the technology, using it to create new projects based on their own aesthetic sensibility.
As one example, earlier this week, pop star The Weeknd (real name Abel Tesfaye) released a new teaser trailer for his YouTube livestream of his concert in São Paulo, Brazil on September 7th, created using cutting-edge generative AI tools.
According to the YouTube trailer credits, the video was directed by Spanish visual artist Yza Voku and combines still imagery generated by Midjourney with animation from Runway's Gen-3, Luma's Dream Machine and Google's Veo AI video generator, which is currently invite-only and only accessible to a select few creators handpicked by the search giant.
The video's footage features The Weeknd's typical yet fantastical neon gothic, dark disco style, including monstrous faces, masks, flames, lightning, shadowy figures with burning heads, a submerged car with a figure stepping into it, a grotesque neon tomb, robed occultists and hands reaching out from hell, sparse trees, screaming faces, a temple and even a fleeting glimpse of his own head.
The Weeknd shared the AI-generated trailer on his various social media accounts, building anticipation for the livestream.
In X, he urged fans to “feast your eyes” and highlighted the unique visuals that will set the tone for the upcoming performance.
Voake also expressed his gratitude on Instagram, thanking The Weeknd and XO Records co-founder Lamar C. Taylor.
On LinkedIn, Matthieu Lorrain, creative lead at Google DeepMind, confirmed that his company helped create the video, saying, “This is another exciting collaboration for our team as we continue to explore new creative territories with generative media.”
It's unclear whether generative AI will play a role in the livestream itself, but the trailer shows the potential of these tools in creative mediums.
The teaser has already caught the attention of fans and tech enthusiasts, who are eagerly waiting to see how the entire performance will unfold.
This new AI trailer follows previous AI-created music videos for the band Washed Out (using OpenAI's Sora) and Ye (formerly Kanye West)'s Vultures music video, which was made with Midjourney and Runway. Additionally, AI tools have also been used in concert visuals for Madonna and a music film for Jared Leto's band 30 Seconds to Mars.
So while a vocal group of artists are complaining about AI, suing it for copyright infringement by training their past work without permission or compensation, other hugely popular artists are recognizing the utility of the technology and releasing new projects created using it, despite or because of its controversial reputation.
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