[Nile Rodgers Defends AI Integration in New Music Video, Calls Critics Hypocritical]
Nile Rodgers responded to criticism over his use of artificial intelligence in a recent music video, calling the backlash “hypocritical.”
The veteran musician, producer, and co‑founder of Chic, posted a behind‑the‑scenes clip showing himself co‑creating an AI avatar for the project, which he described as “next level.”
He captioned the footage, “This is the start of the process,” and praised the thorough AI capture, expressing excitement about the completed work.
Rodgers mentioned The Eagles’ recent residency at Las Vegas’ Sphere as inspiration, stating that he envisioned stories with spectacular environments and music—“future time!”
Nevertheless, many followers on Instagram condemned his embrace of AI, posting messages such as “My disappointment is immeasurable and my day is ruined” and questioning whether older artists have a better alternative for preserving their legacy.
In response, Rodgers argued that using AI daily is normal; he pointed out that everyday tools like Google or navigation apps already rely on AI, and urged his critics to examine their own digital habits.
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Later, he clarified that the clip was created for his 2020 charity single ‘The Christmas Song’ co‑produced with Rebecca Ferguson, sharing images that appear to feature AI‑generated versions of both artists.
The aesthetic features a high‑gloss visual style showing the duo on stage beside a massive fuzzy creature, and another preview shows a smaller group of adorably animated animals in the audience, a festive green‑and‑gold title card completes the look.
In remarks addressing a comment about using AI for a charitable purpose, Rodgers reaffirmed that the team had overseen every design element—mood boards, storyboards, and set construction—treating the production like a traditional film, noting that a conventional version would have cost approximately $100,000.
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He continued, explaining that the AI executed specific instructions while the director meticulously set up each shot. He emphasized that the director is a TV professional, that the process was carefully staged from the outset, and that the final output would have required about $100,000 without AI.
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According to Consequence, Rodgers had previously expressed support for AI in 2023, dismissing claims that generative AI is “fake.” He added that tools such as drum machines and sequencers have been vital for recording bands that could never have had a record without them.
Industry leaders and policymakers convened at Manchester’s Beyond The Music event to discuss how music can thrive alongside AI. A recent study found that artificial intelligence was detected in nearly 40 percent of all music releases that month alone.
In related news, singer‑songwriter Grimes is slated for her film debut in the AI‑generated sci‑fi movie Gods Don’t Give Gifts.