Ringo Starr expresses the Beatles organization’s ongoing apprehension regarding artificial intelligence, even as they successfully utilized this innovative technology to release “the last Beatles song” in 2023. The group’s careful approach highlights their awareness of the implications that AI can have on the music industry.

“Now and Then,” the newly released track, was ingeniously constructed from salvaged components of John Lennon’s 1977 demo, along with recordings of George Harrison’s guitar from 1995. To finalize the song, Paul McCartney and Starr contributed fresh recordings, showcasing their collaboration across decades.

The AI technology employed for this project was developed by Peter Jackson during the production of his acclaimed 2021 documentary series The Beatles: Get Back. This involvement indicates that the band had been actively exploring the potential of machine learning long before this recent release.

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Reflecting on their past experiences, Starr noted, “We attempted to use AI in the ’90s for the release of ‘Free As A Bird’.” He added, “However, our interest waned because it didn’t quite capture John’s essence, leading George to become somewhat frustrated with the process.”

“George was not inclined to create a third single from that era, so we decided to shelve the idea,” Starr explained. “But with advancements in technology, they managed to extract John’s voice from a cassette tape, which was astonishing; it felt as though John was suddenly back with us.”

He commended McCartney for his pivotal role in overseeing the project. “I laid down the drums and contributed vocals for the chorus. Meanwhile, Paul added the orchestral strings and lead guitar, which infused the track with profound emotion. The result was truly remarkable.”

Ringo Starr Discusses the Dual Nature of AI in Music Creation

Shifting to the contentious aspects of AI, Starr voiced concerns over the potential for computer-generated music that could exploit the work of unwitting artists, as well as the unauthorized use of artists’ voices to market songs without their consent.

“We are all somewhat apprehensive about it, as it can easily infringe on an artist’s identity,” the drummer articulated. “Anyone with the right tools can replicate my voice. If they input any five of my songs, AI can analyze my entire vocal style and reproduce a performance that sounds just like me, derived from my unique personality.”

He continued, “Yet, there’s a silver lining in how we utilized AI for ‘Now And Then.’ The future of this technology is uncertain, and while we all have our worries, to date, no one has truly misappropriated any material.”

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