Washed Out in hot waters over AI-generated music video
Indie band Washed Out's recent music video, created with OpenAI's text-to-video tool Sora, has sparked controversy.
The video, directed by Paul Trillo, is the first official collaboration between Sora and a musician.
Washed Out leader Ernest Greene faced criticism from some fans and fellow musicians, including Youth Lagoon's Trevor Powers.
Greene defended his decision to use AI, stating in a Rolling Stone interview, "To me, this is just a brand-new tool to explore."
He added that he believes the video director, Trillo, achieved a unique visual style.
Trillo also spoke to Rolling Stone, acknowledging concerns about transparency in AI model creation. He expressed his belief that AI is a powerful tool for artistic exploration and that new tools like Sora will continue to be adopted.
Trillo noted that creating music videos has traditionally been a budget-conscious endeavor, and AI offers new creative possibilities.
— Washed Out (@realwashedout) May 6, 2024
Greene further addressed the controversy in a tweet thread, acknowledging the debate about AI in art. He emphasized that while he is a proponent of AI's creative potential, he recognizes the concerns raised.
Greene concluded by stating his hope that the video can contribute to a productive discussion about the responsible use of AI tools in creative fields.