SZA lashes out at AI after discovering her songs were used to train music models
Los Angeles, June 23
Singer-songwriter SZA, who is known for 'All The Stars', is furious over an AI model. The singer recently found out that more than 200 of her songs have been used to train AI.
This also includes potentially "unreleased" material. The singer has been an outspoken critic of tech, which is taking over most industries.
She recently took to the Stories section of her Instagram, and wrote, "(Just) checked and music AI has trained off 238 of my songs. I'm certain some are unreleased. If you're a musician and you support this degenerate s***? You're disgusting and there's NOTHING YOU COULD EVER SAY TO ME TO MAKE THIS OKAY. I hope u have the life u deserve (sic)".
SZA previously said she feels like she is "at war" because of the rise of AI in music, and she feels the technology is causing particular problems for Black artistes.
AI has also emerged as one of the biggest threats to the environment, as its data centres consume unreal amounts of water to process the data.
SZA is one of the defining voices of modern R&B. She is known for blending neo-soul, alternative R&B, hip-hop influences, and brutally honest lyricism. She has built a reputation with her atmospheric EPs before breaking through globally with her debut album Ctrl. The album became a cultural landmark for its vulnerable exploration of insecurity, desire, heartbreak, and self-discovery, establishing her as a voice for a generation navigating complicated relationships and identity.
She returned to the fore with SOS, showcasing a wider sonic range and dominating charts worldwide. Her music stands out because of its emotional transparency, she writes about flaws, contradictions, and messy human experiences rather than presenting a polished persona. With multiple awards, critical acclaim, and a devoted fanbase, SZA has become one of the most influential artists of contemporary R&B.
— IANS
Reader Comments
While I understand her frustration, AI is here to stay. Instead of lashing out, maybe artists should work with tech companies to create fair licensing models. But I do agree that using unreleased songs without permission is crossing a line. It's like someone reading your personal diary without asking.
As someone working in the tech industry, I can see both sides. AI models need data to learn, but when it comes to creative works, there needs to be consent and compensation. 238 songs is a massive dataset! The ethical concerns here are real. Hope SZA takes legal action.
Totally supporting SZA! Italian artist or Indian artist, the struggle is the same. Our musicians in India also face piracy and now this AI nonsense. We need stronger laws to protect creative work. The environmental impact she mentioned about data centers is another huge concern. 🌍
I love SZA's music but calling fellow musicians who have a different opinion "disgusting" seems too harsh. AI is a tool - it depends on how we use it. That said, using unreleased material is definitely wrong. Let's have a more constructive conversation about this.
This is why I'm worried about AI in every field. Music is about human emotion and experience. You can't just train a machine to copy that. SZA's lyrics about insecurity and relationships are deeply personal. Using them without permission is basically stealing her vulnerability. 😤
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.