Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1511621
12 16.11.2023 Alexiei Dingli Prof Alexiei Dingli is a Professor of AI at the University of Malta and has been conducting research and working in the field of AI for more than two decades, assisting different companies to implement AI solutions. He forms part of the Malta.AI task-force, set up by the Maltese government, aimed at making Malta one of the top AI countries in the world NEWS When yesterday meets AI's tomorrow E ven though e Beatles had long since parted ways by the time I came into the world, their songs were the soundtrack of every family car trip. I remember staring out the window, the world whizzing by, as 'Here Comes the Sun' played. ose melodies became the backdrop of my childhood memories, ac- companying me through everyday chores. Fast forward to 2023, half a decade after their dissolution. e Beatles are once again aiming to capture the charts, this time with a song that fuses their timeless appeal with the cutting-edge intricacies of Artificial Intelligence (AI). "Now and en", a track from a bygone era, is find- ing its way into the future, thanks to AI. is isn't just a song; it's an audacious step into the amalgamation of human artistry and machine precision. Sir Paul McCartney, alongside Peter Jackson, has harnessed AI to separate John Lennon's voice from an old demo tape. e technology, which allows for the segregation of vocals from the ca- cophony of background noise, was per- fected during the making of 'Get Back', the documentary that gave us a glimpse into e Beatles' creative process. McCartney, at the age of 84, acknowl- edges the trepidation and thrill of using AI, reflecting a sentiment many of us share when confronted with the relent- less march of technology. It's a dance between the nostalgia of Lennon's voice and the innovative algorithms of AI—a duet spanning decades. But this revival is not without its com- plexities. e prospect of using AI to rec- reate and perpetuate the work of iconic artists like John Lennon is a topic ripe for deep contemplation. e technolo- gy offers a seductive promise: the voices and visions of cherished artists need not fade away; instead, they can continue to create and inspire. "Now and en," with Lennon's digitally resurrected voice, stands as a testament to this promise, a marvel that blurs the lines between past and present. Yet, therein lies a paradox. e very technology that offers immortality also invites controversy. For purists, the post- humous release of Lennon's voice may feel like an artificial echo rather than a true continuation of his art. e creative autonomy of the artist is posthumously compromised; Lennon had no say in this new composition. It raises the spectre of ethical concerns: do we have the right to repurpose an artist's legacy in such a way? Looking at other examples, we've seen hologram tours of Whitney Houston and new songs featuring the voice of Freddie Mercury long after they left us. ese projects were met with both acclaim and disquiet. On one hand, they offer fans a chance to relive the magic, to experi- ence what might have been. On the other hand, they open up debates about con- sent, artistic intent, and the commercial exploitation of legacies. In the case of Freddie Mercury, the release of a box set featuring previously unheard tracks was a gift to fans. Still, it also prompted questions about whether these were pieces Mercury intended for the public ear. Similarly, Michael Jack- son's posthumous album "Xscape" was a commercial success. Still, it was also critiqued for its use of unfinished demos, stirring discussion about the sanctity of an artist's unfinished work. e utilisation of AI in these contexts is a double-edged sword. It possesses the extraordinary ability to bring a sem- blance of life to what was silent, to craft new experiences from the whispers of the past. Yet, it also challenges our traditional understanding of artistic creation and ownership. Who, after all, is the creator of these new works? Is it the technolo- gy, the technicians who operate it, the publisher that authorises it, or the artists themselves? As "Now and en" is released, it beck- ons us to reflect on the seamless integra- tion of technology into the most human of our creations—music. It's an invita- tion to witness history in the making and to contemplate the role of AI in our cul- tural scene. Ultimately, "Now and en" is more than just a song—it's a bridge across time, a labour of love that connects us to e Beatles once more. And as we listen to this new yet familiar tune, we can't help but marvel at the magic that happens when yesterday's voices meet tomorrow's technology. During its release, I am reminded of those car journeys, the songs of e Bea- tles an ever-present echo. With "Now and en", that echo reverberates afresh, promising to evoke the same timeless spirit that once filled the air on those long drives. It's a stark reminder that while technology moves us forward, it's the memories and music that keep us anchored, ensuring that the voices of our cherished artists continue to resonate for eternity. The Beatles in 1969, from left, Ringo Starr, John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison