New country hit song ‘Walk My Walk’ by Breaking Rust is very successful in the ratings, reaching number 1 on Billboard’s country digital song sales chart this month. However, there’s one part that catches the attention of many listeners; it is made completely from artificial intelligence. The fictional artist credited to the song is an avatar that didn’t even exist two months ago, and linked to an individual named Aubierre Rivaldo Taylor. Nonetheless, many fans have noticed the song’s vocal style and tone is almost identical to Grammy-nominated artist Blanco Brown, without him knowing. To make it more surprising to the fans, Aubierre Rivaldo Taylor was a former mentee of Brown who now uses AI to produce music and many digital country personas. A big controversy regarding this topic is that the AI singer presented the song though a white avatar , even though Blanco Brown is African-American, with Brown saying the situation felt unsettling.

Many people feel this situation is worrying and that AI could be very influential.

Evan Brewster, a sophomore who plays baseball and is a member of DECA says, “I think AI artists are less creative than real artists and it doesn’t take real talent to make the AI songs. I’m a bit disappointed that this song made it to number 1.” 

Connor Heilemann, another sophomore and member of the ILS golf team, said, “I’m getting worried that AI is taking over the world and being part of our everyday lives such as music, which was supposed to be where people get to show their creativity and art.”

Lastly, Mathias Fernandez, a member of SALTT, said, “I’m against AI artists because they lack creativity and don’t show as much emotion as humans, and this song reaching number 1 seems like AI is unfortunately getting more powerful. I also think it’s unfair that the avatar is using Blanco Brown’s voice without his permission”