AI-Generated Pink Floyd Music Video Sparks Controversy

Psychedelic UK rock band Pink Floyd, renowned for their enduring legacy, continues to captivate fans across generations. Recently, the band ignited debate in the art community by selecting a fan-made video, created using the AI model Stable Diffusion, as a winner in their open animation competition celebrating the 50th anniversary of their iconic album, "Dark Side of the Moon."

The awarded video for the track "Any Colour You Like" secured one of the £10,000 (approximately $12,656 USD) prizes and is in the running for an additional bonus prize of up to £100,000 ($126,563). The video features a series of psychedelic visuals that transition between outer space and close-ups of instruments, which were met with mixed reactions from the online community. Critics expressed their frustrations, with one user lamenting, “I saw the gorgeous hand-animated submissions you picked over this generated AI slop. Absolutely embarrassing for you.”

Many artists voiced their anger, highlighting the time and effort they invested in their submissions. One frustrated participant noted, “I spent two years and about $1,500 to produce 'The Sky Below,' only to see someone win after typing ‘cool guitar planet video’ into a plagiarism machine.”

The winning video, crafted by independent 3D artist Damian Gaume, was one of over 900 entries received during the competition, which invited fans to create animated interpretations of any of the ten tracks on the "Dark Side of the Moon" album. Gaume, who operates under the name “Marble Mannequin,” utilized Stable Diffusion, enhancing his own 3D assets created in Blender.

For Gaume, this project was a labor of love inspired by childhood memories of listening to "Dark Side of the Moon" with his father. The album’s iconic prism cover art also influenced his creative process. Despite the backlash, some defended the video, clarifying that different songs were represented in the various entries.

The judges for the competition included esteemed figures such as Aubrey ‘Po’ Powell of Hipgnosis and Monty Python animator Terry Gilliam, ensuring that the selection process was credible and respected within the creative community.

As AI continues to impact the creative landscape, artists are facing new challenges. While companies like Stability AI and Midjourney encounter legal battles over copyright concerns, mainstream figures, including Pink Floyd, have embraced AI in their promotional efforts. Yet, there remains a growing movement among artists advocating for protections against the misuse of AI to preserve their rights and the integrity of creative work.

This ongoing discourse highlights the complexities of integrating AI in the arts, as artists and fans alike grapple with its implications, sparking debate about the quality and authenticity of AI-generated content. Those engaging with AI in creative competitions should be prepared for scrutiny and embrace the constructive dialogue that follows.