Nick Mason Proposes AI-Driven Pink Floyd Revival

Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason is proposing an unconventional solution to the decades-long feud between bandmates David Gilmour and Roger Waters. In a recent interview with Mirror, Mason suggested that AI could be used to create new Pink Floyd music as if Waters had never left the band in 1985.

Mason’s interest in AI stems from its ability to simulate and create music that mimics the style of artists. He said, “It would be fascinating to see what AI could do with new music. If you tried to run it as a sort of ‘Where did Pink Floyd go after?’ […] The thing to do would be to have an AI situation where David and Roger become friends again.”

The suggestion comes amidst a broader conversation about the role of AI in the music industry. The use of AI in music has grown significantly in recent years, with artists like Ghostwriter gaining attention for mimicking popular musicians like Drake and The Weeknd. AI technology has advanced to the point where it can correct vocal pitch, mix and master recordings, and even suggest musical loops to overcome writer’s block. Streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music have relied on AI algorithms to recommend songs based on users’ listening habits for years already.

However, the rise of AI in music creation has sparked debate. Supporters argue that AI democratizes music production, allowing anyone to create music from their bedroom. Critics, on the other hand, worry about the ethical implications of AI replicating an artist’s voice or style without permission.

Edward Newton-Rex, the former vice president of audio at Stability AI, resigned over concerns that AI-generated content could compete with original works and put musicians out of jobs. “Companies worth billions of dollars are, without permission, training generative AI models on creators’ works, which are then being used to create new content that in many cases can compete with the original works,” Newton-Rex wrote on X.

Nick Mason’s idea of using AI to recreate Pink Floyd’s sound is a fascinating concept that highlights the rapid pace of technological advancement. While it’s a long shot that AI could truly replace human creativity and camaraderie, the proposal does spark a wider discussion about the potential and pitfalls of this technology in the music industry.