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Sting Shares His Concerns About A.I.-Generated Songs

Sting is well aware of the growing trend of artificial intelligence (A.I.) to create music. Understandably, he’s not impressed and also concerned. The former Police frontman told the BBC, “The…

Sting stopping for a photo on the 2016 American Music Awards red carpet.
Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

Sting is well aware of the growing trend of artificial intelligence (A.I.) to create music. Understandably, he's not impressed and also concerned.

The former Police frontman told the BBC, "The building blocks of music belong to us, to human beings. That's going to be a battle we all have to fight in the next couple of years: Defending our human capital against A.I."

He elaborated on his thoughts and added, "It's similar to the way I watch a movie with CGI. It doesn't impress me at all. I get immediately bored when I see a computer-generated image. I imagine I will feel the same way about AI making music. Maybe for electronic dance music, it works. But for songs, you know, expressing emotions, I don't think I will be moved by it."

The use of A.I. in creative works is one of the reasons behind the current Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike. Per The New York Times, film and television writers are concerned about studios replacing writers with A.I.-generated scripts to cut costs. The outlet notes, "In essence, writers are asking the studios for guardrails against being replaced by A.I., having their work used to train A.I. or being hired to punch up A.I.-generated scripts at a fraction of their former pay rates."

The WGA has been on strike since May 2. Many shows have shut down in solidarity of the WGA. The most notable programs include all major late-night talks shows on ABC, CBS and NBC. HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher and Last Week Tonight have also halted production. Comedy Central's The Daily Show has also shut down.

Sting celebrates his birthday today (October 2), and it goes without saying that he has one of the best stage names in music history.

In fact, the rock world is littered with stage names! In honor of Sting's birthday, here's a look at some of our favorite stage names and a few fun facts about them.

Sting

GettyImages-3307880.jpgCentral Press/Getty Images

December 1979: Sting, lead singer of pop group The Police and drummer Stewart Copeland, during a performance. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images)


Slash

GettyImages-91376275.jpgEthan Miller/Getty Images

LAS VEGAS - OCTOBER 02: Guitarist Slash performs during a concert at the Bare Pool Lounge at The Mirage Hotel & Casino to celebrate the resort's 20th anniversary October 2, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)


Bob Dylan

GettyImages-2639080-e1495653176132.jpgExpress Newspapers/Getty Images

U2's Bono and The Edge

GettyImages-682573304.jpgAndrew Chin/Getty Images

VANCOUVER, BC - MAY 12: (L-R) The Edge and Bono of rock band U2 perform on stage during their 'The Joshua Tree World Tour' opener at BC Place on May 12, 2017 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Andrew Chin/Getty Images)


Iggy Pop and David Bowie

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March 1977: Rock singers David Bowie, right, and Iggy Pop in Germany. (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images)


Meatloaf

GettyImages-1844388.jpgJamie Squire/Getty Images

ATLANTA - FEBRUARY 8: Singer 'Meatloaf' performs at the Sprite Rising Stars Slam Dunk Contest during the 2003 NBA All Star weekend at Philips Arena on February 8, 2003 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)


Flea

GettyImages-450631878-scaled.jpgTim P. Whitby/Getty Images

NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT - JUNE 14: (EDITORS NOTE: IMAGE HAS BEEN PROCESSED USING DIGITAL FILTERS) Flea of Red Hot Chili Peppers performs at The Isle of Wight Festival as Seaclose Park on June 14, 2014 in Newport, Isle of Wight. (Photo by Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images)


Gene Simmons

GettyImages-99158784.jpgJo Hale/Getty Images

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 12: Gene Simmons of KISS performs at the Wembley Arena on May 12, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Jo Hale/Getty Images)


Nikki Sixx

GettyImages-469304666.jpgEthan Miller/Getty Images

LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 10: (EDITORS NOTE: Image was processed using digital filters) Bassist Nikki Sixx of Sixx:A.M. performs at The Joint inside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on April 10, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Erica Banas is a news blogger who's been covering the rock/classic rock world since 2014. The coolest event she's ever covered in person was the 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. (Sir Paul McCartney inducting Foo Fighters? C'mon now!) She's also well-versed in etiquette and extraordinarily nice. #TransRightsAreHumanRights