In a groundbreaking development for the music industry, Japanese pop sensation AKB48 has released a new single, "Omoide Scroll," which was entirely generated by artificial intelligence. The AI-composed track triumphed over a song written by the group's renowned producer, Yasushi Akimoto, in a highly publicized fan vote, marking a significant moment in the intersection of technology and creative arts.

Key Takeaways

• AKB48's AI-generated song, "Omoide Scroll," won a fan vote against a song by producer Yasushi Akimoto.

• The AI, a version of Google's Gemini, was trained on Akimoto's extensive lyrical library and public statements.

• "Omoide Scroll" secured 14,225 votes, while Akimoto's song, "Cécile," received 10,535.

• The AI's victory has sparked discussions about the future of songwriting and the role of AI in the creative process.

The AI Songwriting Contest

The competition, featured on a Nippon TV program titled "Akimoto Yasushi vs AI Akimoto: AKB48 New Song Production Contest," pitted the veteran producer against an AI designed to emulate his creative style. Google's Gemini AI was fed Akimoto's vast catalogue of lyrics and his public statements to develop its own unique voice. Both the AI and Akimoto were tasked with creating a new song for AKB48, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary.

"Omoide Scroll" vs. "Cécile"

The AI's creation, "Omoide Scroll," described as a techno-pop track exploring heartbreak in the digital age, resonated more strongly with fans. It garnered 14,225 votes out of a total of 24,760 cast. In contrast, Akimoto's song, "Cécile," a retro-style piece about admiration for a friend, received 10,535 votes. Following the announcement, Akimoto expressed his disappointment, stating, "How am I supposed to react to this? It’s disappointing, I wrote it with all my effort." However, he had previously indicated an openness to being inspired by AI, noting, "If the AI can write a better song, that would make me happy."

Fan Reception and Future Implications

AKB48 officially announced the AI's victory on their X account, thanking fans for their participation. Social media comments largely reflected excitement about the AI-generated song, with some fans noting it possessed a quality they felt was missing in recent Akimoto compositions. "Omoide Scroll" has now been released as AKB48's 67th official single, while Akimoto's "Cécile" has reportedly been removed from streaming platforms. The outcome of this contest is being closely watched by the Japanese music industry as a potential indicator of how audiences will receive AI-generated music in the future.