The acclaimed Irish musician Hozier indicated that he would contemplate a strike in response to the danger artificial intelligence presents to his music business.
Hollywood actors and writers are presently on strike due to a disagreement concerning the acquisition of more advantageous contracts and safeguarding from the utilization of AI.
Hozier declared to BBC's Newsnight that he would be open to participating in similar strikes in the music business.
The vocalist stated that he was uncertain whether AI was "up to the standard of art".
In July, Hollywood writers and actors took to picket lines for the first time in decades in response to a proposal by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers regarding the creation of "digital replicas" of actors.
Though musicians have not reacted yet to the potential danger of AI, the technology could be used for writing songs or mimicking popular performers.
By the beginning of April, a track utilizing AI to copy the vocals of Drake and The Weeknd had been taken off of streaming services due to feedback that it infringed upon copyright regulations.
When inquired if he could see himself taking part in a strike concerning the hazard artificial intelligence poses to music, Hozier,who is also known as Andrew John Hozier-Byrne, replied: "If there is a unified effort to address this matter, I would certainly join in solidarity."
The Grammy-nominated singer, renowned for his song Take Me to Church, expressed to presenter Victoria Derbyshire that whether AI is art or not is nearly a philosophical debate.
It is unable to produce something rooted in a human experience, so I am uncertain if it fits the criteria of art.
Recently, the Financial Times reported that Google and Universal Music are negotiating for the licensing of musicians' tunes and vocals for tunes created by Artificial Intelligence.
Hozier brought up the demise of Irish vocalist and songwriter Sinéad O'Connor when he was questioned during his interview.
The singer mused that he was "treading down the path that she blazed", in reference to her tearing up a photo of the Pope on US television in 1992, as a demonstration against child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church.
At first, her actions were widely criticized.
Around 30 years after its release, Hozier's track Take Me to Church became a smash hit, reaching #1 status in 12 countries. To this day, it is still among the most streamed songs to ever exist and Hozier has claimed it acts as a critique of the church's teachings about sexual orientation which include feelings of guilt. "
Hozier suggested that sensibilities had evolved, attributing the difference of the response to the fact that Sinead was a female who was among the first to have the bravery to state her opinion.
That was considered very improper then.
Hozier declared that his debut single's "mission statement" is now more relevant than it was 10 years ago.
He expressed his discontent with the situation, but admitted that improvements had been made: "Ten years ago, the European Union did not have LGBTQ+ free zones," he stated.
We didn't have any armed forces stationed outside of gay and queer spaces, with the potential of danger looming over them.
When queried about whether he would ever give a show in Russia, Saudi Arabia, or other countries that have a history of oppressing minorities, the artist stated that it was "a complex situation".
"Do we not suppress minorities here and in America?" he questioned, after refusing to attend an event backed by the Russian government.
I had the opportunity to give a performance in the Vatican City, which was an exciting experience... I remember they asked me to sing Take Me to Church at some point.
Derbyshire inquired, "And you said no?" "No way—that would have been a blast," Hozier joked.
The musician gave Newsnight a one-off UK broadcast interview prior to the release of his new album Unreal Unearth.
Partially inspired by Dante's Inferno, the album is being released on 18 August and reflects the artist's experience in the midst of the pandemic.
Newsnight will be airing the whole interview at 10:30 pm BST on BBC Two, the BBC News Channel and on iPlayer.
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