Mick Jagger says AI music okay if original, bans cloning

Mick Jagger, the frontman of The Rolling Stones, has articulated a nuanced stance on the use of artificial intelligence in music, endorsing experimentation with the technology while drawing a firm line against digital mimicry of his band. In an interview published by Billboard on Thursday, July 16, the 82-year-old rock legend clarified his position amid the industry's ongoing debate over AI, emphasizing the necessity of originality in any AI-assisted creation.

Jagger stated clearly that he does not want his voice or the band's instrumental style to be cloned by algorithms. He expressed frustration with the prospect of AI-generated material that sounds exactly like The Rolling Stones, calling that behavior "obviously wrong." However, he refused to dismiss the technology outright. "If someone wants to make music by AI, go ahead," Jagger said. "But it has to be original-you have to have your own input and your own thoughts." He added that any creative person would avoid simply replicating another artist's style using these tools.

His longtime bandmate, guitarist Keith Richards, echoed a similar preference for human creativity over synthetic reproduction. "I'd rather hear something...