Artificial intelligence is transforming our music, starting with Kanye West

Kanye West has never sung Hey There Delilah, yet there's his cover of the song online. It's been made using AI, and it's exemplary of how the technology is rocking the music industry, writes Elena Siniscalco Since he went on an antisemitic spiral, Kanye West's music has been accompanied by a bitter taste. But the rapper turned shoe designer has since had his voice co-opted by the masses, singing much loved favourites such as Don't Stop Me Now by Queen or Hey There Delilah by the Plain White T's. All of these have been made by artificial intelligence, using Kanye West's extensive back catalogue to create a convincing replica of his voice. AI-generated music has been rocking the industry for years now, with a surge in younger and independent artists experimenting with it during lockdowns, when access to other equipment and studios was almost impossible. Some went in very unconventional directions, with singer Holly Herndon creating a clone of herself through AI that can sing any song in her voice, in any language.