Pepe Aguilar and Jennifer Lopez coincide on AI's role in music, film and humanity

MIAMI - Latino artists Pepe Aguilar and Jennifer Lopez might seem like an unlikely duo to probe the realm of artificial intelligence (AI). Yet, both artists have found themselves at the forefront of discussions surrounding the emergent technology's impact on the entertainment industry.

While they have dabbled with AI in their latest projects, albeit in different ways, Lopez and Aguilar share the same point of view on how humanity needs to deal with it.

In a recent interview with Latin Times, Aguilar candidly expressed fascination, apprehension, and concern regarding AI's influence on music production. Lopez, on her end, confronts the potential perils and promises of AI in shaping our future in her latest sci-fi action film "Atlas," already on Netflix.

Using AI in music

For Aguilar, the allure of AI lies in its ability to revolutionize music creation. Embracing the technology, he boldly incorporated AI into the design of his upcoming album's cover and promotional materials. However, he was also quick to warn that the technology can also undermine artists.

"You can make great music with artificial intelligence," he said. "It's just not as fun, so you can use it as a tool, but it can't ever substitute the emotion that the artist feels when creating something." According to Aguilar, what AI is already substituting is the need to accumulate musical knowledge.

He said that using AI in the composition process "isn't shooting yourself in the foot, because the technology is there. We already shot ourselves in the head. In the foot, in the knee. We're already dead." He thus made it clear that he is convinced that major change in the music industry is inevitable due to the influence of AI. "We need to legislate it quickly and we need to learn to use it to assist us, not substitute us, and that is not only in music. I am talking about many things that keep humanity busy and inspired right now."

An example is how he incorporated AI design to the cover of his new album "Qué llueva tequila," a fusion between mariachi and rock.

"We got it wrong with the internet," warns Jennifer Lopez

In stark contrast, Lopez's portrayal of a data analyst in Netflix's "Atlas" exposes the darker side of this technology, showing a dystopian future where humanity's survival hinges on battling malevolent AI adversaries.

Lopez herself has grappled with AI's exploitative tendencies, recounting instances of manipulated images using her likeness to peddle products she has no affiliation with. Despite the ominous undertones, Lopez advocates for a balanced perspective, urging respect for AI's capabilities while remaining vigilant against its misuse.

"We got it wrong with the internet, which can be so harmful, particularly for the children who are growing up with it," she reflects. "We are at a stage with AI that we must try to do better. To legislate it and prevent the damage it can create."

If one were to imagine Aguilar and Lopez collaborating, it might not be in a musical or cinematic venture but rather in advocating for a legislated approach to AI's integration into our lives. Their divergent experiences and perspectives converge on a shared recognition of AI's transformative impact, prompting reflection on the ethical, legal, and creative implications it presents.