A songwriting battle with my AI clone | Jason "Poo Bear" Boyd, Elise Hu

Summary

---

Podcast Summary: A Songwriting Battle With My AI Clone

Podcast: TED Talks Daily
Host: Elise Hu
Guest: Jason "Poo Bear" Boyd
Date: February 7, 2026

---

Main Theme

This episode explores the intersection of music, creativity, and artificial intelligence. Host Elise Hu sits down with acclaimed songwriter/producer Jason "Poo Bear" Boyd to discuss the evolving role of AI in music-making, the irreplaceable human element in songwriting, and the future of live music in a tech-saturated world. The episode culminates in a unique live experiment: a songwriting "battle" between Poo Bear and an AI tool called Suno.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Human Soul in Music (03:28–05:00)

• Elise Hu sets the stage by framing music as a "uniquely powerful window into [the] soul," pondering if AI might ever surpass human-made music in evoking feeling.
• Memorable quote:

  "Will there come a time when AI can move people in a more soulful way than human made music can? And what would that mean?" — Elise Hu (00:58)

What Makes a Great Song (05:00–06:35)

• Poo Bear’s definition:
  "A great song is a frequency that is simple but effective. So simple enough for a child to be able to remember and sing along, but effective enough to fire off neurons in a brilliant mind." (05:07)
• He believes the best songs find a balance between simplicity and effectiveness that appeals to both novices and experts.

Evolving Technology in Music Production (06:35–08:48)

• Poo Bear recalls his career from the 1990s to now: starting with analog reels, adapting to Pro Tools, using plugins and AutoTune.
• Admits AI is a tool he wishes he’d adopted sooner, as it’s now becoming essential in the industry.
• Quote:

  "If you didn't really evolve into [digital tools], you kind of were left behind." — Poo Bear (05:50)

AI in Creative Work: Boon or Threat? (08:48–11:04)

• Poo Bear uses AI not to generate music, but to brainstorm concepts, research topics efficiently, and check for song originality to avoid copyright issues.
• He acknowledges AI's value but is cautious, emphasizing:

  “AI has never had its heart broken... never been in love.” (10:38)

• He feels AI cannot truly replicate the human soul, though it may one day come close, and candidly discusses his initial reluctance to use AI out of fear it would diminish his creative self-worth.

The Creative “Soul” Versus the Algorithm (11:04–14:18)

• Discussion around distinguishing between AI-generated and human-made music — Poo Bear can typically tell the difference, but admits there are poorly written songs from both AI and humans.
• Expresses optimism that established artists with defined "sounds" will remain in demand, but raises concerns about the challenges facing up-and-coming songwriters and the ease of cloning styles with AI.

  “For up and coming songwriters and producers that don’t have that sound yet, I do feel like it’s going to become more difficult for them...they’ll be battling AI, literally.” (12:29)

The Need for Legal and Ethical Guardrails (12:29–15:09)

• Poo Bear advocates for regulations to protect creative work:

  “Just being able to protect the creatives that have spent a lot of time, a lot of years investing in creating a sound, just for AI not to be able to completely rip off our everything.” (12:45)

• Suggests possible future for song authentication technology and copyright safeguards.

Historical Parallels & Patterns in Music Tech (15:09–18:02)

• Analogizes the AI era to the synthesizer revolution of the 1980s — initial excitement, a period where “real” instruments were less valued, and an eventual return to craving authentic sounds.

  “It always circles back around to the authenticity...the analog sound, the warmth, the human, the soul factor.” (16:43–17:09)

The Future of Live Music (18:02–21:13)

• Despite technological change (streaming, VR, pandemic impacts), there's a renewed hunger for in-person experiences.
• Live music is becoming more expensive, which could limit access for fans.
• Poo Bear predicts new models (e.g., sponsor-funded concerts) to keep live music accessible:

  “We've been testing some concerts...having brands come in and say, ‘I'm going to pay the artist...we’re going to give a free concert.’” (19:06)

---

Feature Segment: Songwriting Battle — Human vs. AI

Setup & Approach (21:17–23:18)

• What happens: Poo Bear and his team improvise a new song, with live audience help supplying conceptual prompts.
• The AI tool Suno is tasked with generating its own version of a song using the same prompt.
• Humorous moment:

  “I’m going to battle Suno, the digital version of myself...if Suno beats me, it’s totally fine. I'm okay with it.” — Poo Bear (22:11)

The Human Songwriting Process (24:09–31:09)

• Poo Bear elicits concepts from the audience (“Broke, but not broken,” “Wise voice but voiceless,” “Starting over”), chooses "starting over."
• Crafts a hook and post-hook live, building melody and lyrics collaboratively.
• Shares his creative process — trial and error, loop recording, improvisation — giving a “studio” feel to the TED stage.

Notable exchanges:

• On choosing prompts:

  “Can I get some little weight, some less intelligent concepts...Let’s go to middle school. Starting Over. Ninja Turtles. I’m going to go with starting over.” — Poo Bear (24:10)

• On creativity:

  “I believe in making hooks that are questions, but like rhetorical questions that we kind of know the answer to.” (24:56)

The AI Songwriting Process & Results (32:19–34:27)

• Suno quickly generates a song based on the same prompt and style.
• The AI’s lyrics are revealed:

  “Should we be starting over? Chasing what we lost in the clover. The cracks are wide but the heart still sober. Oh, should we try?” — Suno/AI (33:29)

• Mixed audience reaction: AI is quick, but the output feels less coherent and soulful.

Poo Bear's verdict:

“That was the digital version...I’m not sure if it made a lot of sense, but it’s okay.” (34:27)

Final Comparisons & Reflections (34:50–35:52)

• The human-created hook and post-hook are played back; the energy in the room signals the impact of the live, human touch.
• Poo Bear’s take-home message:

  “I hope this proves that we still...we’re gonna always need human soul, but...let’s incorporate human soul forever.” (35:52)

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “AI has never had its heart broken, you know, AI has never been in love.” — Poo Bear (10:38)
• “I don’t think you can really...get that [feeling]...you can have your VR set on and still, like, be lonely and be alone, you know?” — Poo Bear (19:55)
• “Let’s not count it [AI] out, but let's incorporate human soul forever.” — Poo Bear (35:52)

---

Important Timestamps

• (03:28): Live musical performance, “Caught Up”
• (05:07): Poo Bear on what makes a great song
• (10:02): Can AI replicate the human soul?
• (18:50): Future of live music access
• (22:11): Setup for the human vs. AI songwriting battle
• (24:09–31:09): Poo Bear creates a song live on-stage
• (33:29): Suno (AI) presents its version of the song
• (34:50): Human performance played back; final reflections

---

Tone

The episode balances curiosity, humility, and humor, always circling back to an appreciation for human creativity and the "soul" in music. It's both optimistic about integrating AI tools and protective of the irreplaceably human.

---

Takeaway

AI is quickly transforming music creation, but, as this live experiment proves, the ineffable, lived emotional experience behind human songwriting still connects with listeners in a way that code alone can't replicate. The future, Poo Bear suggests, isn’t about choosing sides — it’s about embracing helpful tools while holding onto what makes art meaningfully human.

---

Transcript

[Capital One Advertiser]

With no fees or minimums on checking accounts, it's no wonder the Capital One bank guy is so passionate about banking. With Capital One, if he were here, he wouldn't just tell you about no fees or minimums. He'd also talk about how most Capital One cafes are open seven days a week to assist with your banking needs. Yep, even on weekends it's pretty much all he talks about in a good way. What's in your wallet? Term supply see capitalone.com bank capital1na member FDIC.

[Elise Hu]

This episode is brought to you by Dell. Have you been waiting for the perfect time to upgrade your tech? Good news. The wait is over. Dell Tech Day's annual sales event is here and they're celebrating their best customers with fantastic deals on the latest PCs like the Dell 14 plus with Intel Core Ultra processors. They've also got incredible perks like Dell Rewards, Fast Free Shipping, Premium Support, Price Match Guarantee, and more. And while you're upgrading your PC, you may as well go all out because they're also offering huge deals on their premium suite of monitors and accessories. You know what that means? That's right, you can get a whole new setup with amazing savings. Clearly this is a sale you don't want to miss. Visit Dell.com deals that's Dell.com deals. This episode is brought to you by Pura. You know those rare moments when everything just exhales? Pura's well Being collection is designed for exactly that. Their smart diffusers let you customize fragrance to match however you're feeling, whether you need to unwind, focus, or just make your space feel more like you right now. Subscribe to 2cents for 12 months and get a free Pura set. It's a small shift that can change the whole energy of your day. Explore the [e-mail] moods. You're listening to TED Talks Daily where we bring you new ideas and conversations to spark your curiosity every day. I'm your host, Elise Hu. In this fast changing age of AI technologies, where do we find and hold on to the human soul? For me and for many, music is a uniquely powerful window into that soul. It's ancient and new, global and intimate, and exists in nearly every place on Earth. It feels inexplicably human, and yet AI tools are getting better and better at making music. Will there come a time when AI can move people in a more soulful way than human made music can? And what would that mean? To find out, I sat down with songwriter and producer Jason Pooh Bear Boyd, whose melodies you've Certainly heard from his collaborations with Justin Bieber, Usher, Ed Sheeran, the Rolling Stones, and more. We explored what makes us human and how we can protect that even while embracing AI tools. And in true Pooh Bear fashion, he doesn't just tell us his thoughts. He shows us in a live musical exercise that left us feeling like the human soul is safe after all. I can't wait for you to hear this. Enjoy.

[Audience Member / Vocalist]

I'm the kind of brother who's been doing it my way, getting my way for years in my career and every lover, y' all. And in all my life I hit love and left in tears without a care Until I met this girl who turned the tables around Caught me by surprise I never thought I'd be the one breaking down I can't figure it out I'm so caught up Got me feeling it caught up I don't know what it is but it seems she's got me twisted I'm so caught up really feeling it caught up I'm losing control this girl's got a hold on me.

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

Thank you very much. Happy birthday. That's good.

[Elise Hu]

That was incredible. Thank you, thank you, thank you. What a treat. It was so great to be able to hear you in this theater. Like the acoustics. Are you satisfied?

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

They did an amazing job. The acoustics are killer. Yeah.

[Elise Hu]

Okay, well, we're so glad. Oh, that was just so moving. I wish we could get a whole show from you.

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

Oh, man. Maybe one day.

[Elise Hu]

Okay. Standing invitation.

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

Yes.

[Elise Hu]

Before we get into the innovation part of this conversation, I just want to ask you what to you makes a great song.

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

To me, a great song is it's a frequency that is simple but effective. So simple enough for a child to be able to remember and sing along with, but effective enough to fire off neurons and a brilliant mind.

[Elise Hu]

Okay, so do you just feel that?

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

I feel it. Lots and lots and years of trial and error and I mean, just having this balance of simple ineffectiveness.

[Elise Hu]

How especially you mentioned lots and lots of years. Technology's constantly changing. It's been improving your entire career, our entire adult lives. How have you. If you could just take us through increasingly integrated digital technology into your work and your creativity.

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

God. So I've been actually started off at my first success, my first record in the 90s. So I was working on reel to reel adats, and, you know, it evolved into pro tools. And that's when the digital era. And if you didn't really evolve into that, you kind of were left behind. And every year they've just added on cool Plugins and things to help save time. Cause time is the most valuable part of our lives. So, you know, I think pro tools to the auto tune, all these things that were always. They always hate on it at first. And then you realize that it's only been created to help us.

[Elise Hu]

So do you consider yourself an early adopter? Like when your friends or other producers introduce you to a new thing, are you like, great, I'm just gonna go all in. Are you more skeptical and you kind of watch first?

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

I like both. I got washed a little bit, but once I used it and I understood that we're all being programmed by perfection and that comes from the digital help. So I had to incorporate it. And it just helps save time and it helps for people to enjoy the music as well.

[Elise Hu]

Is there any tool over the course of your career that you wished you were sort of faster to jump on?

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

I would probably say AI. Honestly. Yeah. I would say AI.

[Elise Hu]

Okay. How are you feeling right now about AI's growth in the creative industries?

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

I feel like, once again, it's gonna be. It's a tool that I feel like is absolutely gonna be necessary. It's in the beginning of it. And I feel like there's kinks that need to be worked out like everything in life. But I also. I understand the importance of it now. You know, at first I. I saw a lot of people using it around me, and I was like. I didn't want to feel, like, lesser of my. I didn't want to think lesser of myself for using it.

[Elise Hu]

Yeah.

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

But, you know, even now I understand, like, okay, I could probably use that. I could probably ask AI a question and it can give me a cool answer.

[Elise Hu]

Okay. Because I know about zero about producing a song or producing music.

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

Yeah.

[Elise Hu]

Can you talk a little bit, just practically, about how AI is being used? Or AI tools, I should say, Just not like AI broadly. But AI tools are being used in. In your work, in your line of work.

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

Okay. So in my world, there's some people that are kind of completely relying on it, which I'm not gonna knock it, but for me, it's just, you know, throwing out concepts or ideas. Not so much. I haven't really integrated musically as far. Cause I still believe in the soul aspect of, you know, creating chords and having chords that we love. But I also use it if, you know, if I have a question about something that I want to write about, I'll ask it and it'll give me a quick answer and, you know, things that I probably would have to research a Lot harder if AI didn't exist.

[Elise Hu]

So essentially you can use it as a starting point, or you have a starting point, you're like, hey, this is a musical phrase. Or here's a chord I really like. Or tell me. Yeah, because kind of walk me through.

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

Like, I haven't integrated the music part, but more so, you know, just different questions. I love making songs that are questions. So not so much the, you know, the chords or. I still believe in being able to. I'm not the greatest musician, but being able to find chords that I love with somebody that is amazing at playing chords and be able to say, oh, I love that. Or do a different second chord. But more so like just concepts and new ideas and it's just so much that hasn't been written about and running it through AI and making sure that I'm not creating something that already has been created already, which is important in the copyright world.

[Elise Hu]

Yeah, for sure. That's already hard to avoid without A.I. right?

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

Correct. Yeah.

[Elise Hu]

Do you feel like. And I guess we're going to. I feel like I'm already teasing what's coming ahead. But do you feel as though there's still something ineffable about the human soul that gets worked into music that AI can't quite touch?

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

Yeah, the AI can't. I don't feel like it'll ever be able to quantify the human soul. And I just feel like that's something. Because AI is basically a math equation that kind of. You have this formula and it equals certain things. I just feel like one day in the future, I won't say that it won't come close to the human soul, but I don't think it'll ever be able to emulate the human soul and being able to, you know, affect people's emotions the way that the human soul does. You know, it's just. Just being. Just living, you know, being. For me to be able to create something. And it comes from a real place. AI has never been had its heart broken, you know, AI has never been in love.

[Elise Hu]

Sure.

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

So it's like those things that, you know, there. Of course there will be a math equation that equals to heartbreak. Equals up to heartbreak or love or something like that. But I don't think, like, actually going through it. Like the fact that as humans, we go through these real emotions, I just don't think it'll ever be able to completely quantify it.

[Elise Hu]

Does it matter that we can't that soon? I mean, I know you can probably detect the difference, right, between artificial music.

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

And that which was created kind of, sort of, yeah. Cause it's kind of just not great yet. So when I hear something, I'm like, that sounds like AI Cause I wouldn't.

[Elise Hu]

But to be fair, there's also really bad pop songs that are written by humans.

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

A lot of bad. It's the Yin and the Yang. There's a lot of bad pop music written by humans, correct? Yeah, Yep.

[Elise Hu]

Does it matter though, do you think that to the audiences or to the industry? I guess. Wait, I'm answering my own question. Because it would matter to the industry. Because if it gets cheaper to write music, what. What happens to the artists?

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

Yeah, the artists. You know, I feel like the artists are safe. I feel like more for creatives just once they figure out all the new laws around the copyrights and stuff, you know, songwriters, up and coming songwriters. I feel like there's certain people who make music and they have a sound and a lot of people, when they come to work with you, they're coming for that very specific sound, you know, that comes from years and years of programming frequencies into the universe, you know, by having a lot of radio success. So there. I do feel like for up and coming songwriters and producers that don't have that sound yet, I do feel like it's going to become more difficult for them to be able to. Because they'll have a. They'll be battling AI Literally, you know.

[Elise Hu]

Yeah. And you mentioned regulation. Regulation famously is so many years behind how technology is developing. Are there certain guardrails or what would be certain guardrails that you would like to see to protect creatives and creative work?

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

You know, that's a great question. Just being able to protect the creatives that have spent a lot of time, a lot of years investing in creating a sound just for AI not to be able to completely rip off our everything and take it and be like, oh, I'm gonna, you know, we'll just do our own Pooh Bear style song and pull from a thousand poohberry different hits and create this new Pooh Bear sound. So, yes, I feel like the laws, I feel like should encompass protecting the creative. So being able to detect and hear a song and say, you know what? That song didn't really come from the source that we think is coming from. So I'm not sure, I'm sure that somebody has me thinking of this. To be able to scan the music and be able to say, oh, that's artificial. And at the same time somehow be able to protect the creators that they're pulling from somehow.

[Elise Hu]

You also kind of nodded to this already. What happens to the pipeline? You know, you're talking about musicians being able to create a certain sound or who are really tied to whatever they. What is distinct about them. I mean, I'm thinking of film directors who are similar as well. Like when you see a Wes Anderson movie, you know, it's a Wes Anderson movie. So. So what happens to the future directors, the future musicians whose distinct eye or distinct sound hasn't been really out in the world or found an audience yet?

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

Yes, it hasn't programmed. I really. That's the part that's scary. Like, I look at it like it's exciting and scary at the same time. Cause I love the time factor to be able to save time and be able to just prompt AI and say, make this movie or make this record. But I do feel like I'm afraid for the new upping the directors, the creatives, just because there's really no way to really stop it from happening. It's inevitable. So it's like, how do we get out in front of it and we're able to still incorporate, include it, but still be able to have a sound or build a future sound for those new artists and new directors that haven't had any hits yet. Still be able to use it as a tool, but still be able to build and like, develop a sound for themselves or a visual for themself.

[Elise Hu]

Can you give us a peek behind the curtain? Because you were friends with so many producers, so many people at the top of industry, what kind of conversations around this are happening right now? Because as you mentioned, the cow is kind of already out of the barn. Sorry, I'm just always with my Texas references. But, you know, that's fine.

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

Yeah, no, all my friends, they're kind of like. They're using it like no different than Pro Tools or Auto Tune. It's like just using it for very niche things. Or like, oh, make this sound sound more. Like, oh, make me a trumpet sound combined with the violin to create this new instrument that doesn't exist. Like, cool things, but not to where it becomes the whole entire piece of art.

[Elise Hu]

Is this any different than, say, like when digital synthesizers were first on the market and first came out? They were also capable of making new sounds. AI is obviously, you know, exponentially more stronger and faster and all of those things. But it sounds like the conversations around it are similar. Right?

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

It's very. When you go back to the 80s, when they started making new sounds. Take us to the 80s, the drum machines and the new keyboards, the moods, you know. Yes. We got to a place to where it was so exciting. We just stopped hearing, like, authentic, real instrumentation for a while. Like, even the most amazing, like, you know, musicians like Stevie Wonder, they got into, you know, using guitar.

[Elise Hu]

Is that what it's called? Like the keyboard guitar keytar?

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

Yeah, yeah. It was like, wait, you know, they kind of forgot about. But then you realize that it always circles back around to the authenticity of, like, real instrumentation. But people just get excited. Like, it's very similar to AI it was like, oh, wow. We don't really have to think or do anything. We don't have to work. But then it comes a place where, you know, you miss it and you miss that analog sound. You miss the warmth and the human, the soul factor.

[Elise Hu]

Do you think there's going to be kind of a backlash or a return to more analog sound or even that, like, tangible media storage of yesteryear? What do you predict?

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

I predict the circle. It's an inevitable, inevitable circle that happens to where this new, you know, technology comes out. Everybody goes crazy over it, and then you just naturally start to miss, you know, that. That thing that gave you butterflies, you know, that real human being, that the soul factor. And I think it's just a matter of time. I do feel like, you know, AI is inevitable, you know, but I also feel like we're gonna see a lot of artists that, you know, are gonna be relying on it, that ultimately have to, like, go back to really performing and doing real live instrumentation. I think that's really important.

[Elise Hu]

This live instrumentation question I'm so glad you brought up because it's so special to be here at ted to get to hear you perform just now, to have these experiences that are in real life. Yes. Jen Z Gen Alpha, they're very into, in real life, get togethers and convenings, largely because they were starved of that as they were coming of age during the pandemic. But live music is so expensive.

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

Yes.

[Elise Hu]

I am finding that it is so much. It's like, out of reach for so many people, especially young people to go to concerts these days. How will we get together? How will we get to have these kinds of experiences where we are gathering and enjoying live music and enjoying sort of the beauty of the craft.

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

That's a great question. So I feel like people are gonna understand that there's ways to integrate concerts that's not based on. Purely Based on ticket sales or merch. I feel like there's gonna be ways.

[Elise Hu]

That would be a dream.

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

There's Gonna be ways. And I'm, like, actually working on it. We've been testing some concerts, like, smaller concerts, but having brands. Brands come in and say, you know what? I'm going to pay the artist. I'm going to pay for everything. And we're going to give a free concert and then see where that money that those bands might have spent on a ticket or. Or. Or really just on a ticket. Yeah, maybe they'll have a little bit more money to spend on a hoodie, you know, So I think there's going to be cool new ways to give those experiences for free, but still people be able to generate money, but just in another way.

[Elise Hu]

Yeah, I'd love to see that. Are there examples that you're seeing of a return to either analog production, analog music, analog shows?

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

I think the examples are just, you know, if you do look at the concerts, the amount of money that. The revenue that's being made, it still continues to grow. You know, it's getting more and more. And I think that is because people do want to have that experience. You know, I think there's. You can go to a. You can go to a movie. You can go. You can watch anything at home. And I think because of COVID I think everybody just got so sick of having to watch stuff on their TV or laptops that once the world opened back up, like, all the music, like, all the shows went through the roof because everybody was just so excited to be amongst each other and feel everybody's energy and frequency in the room. I don't think it's. I don't think you can really, you know, get that. You can have. You can have your VR set on and still, like, be lonely and be alone, you know? So I think that the concert, like, the actual live performance aspect of music, I think it's going to get even. Like, it's going to get bigger and better. And I think that, you know, the revenue is going to continue to skyrocket.

[Elise Hu]

And we just have to find a way to incentivize.

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

Incentivize the concert so that they become free experiences where people still can make money, and it makes sense for everybody.

[Elise Hu]

Okay. We've talked about live performances.

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

Yes.

[Elise Hu]

And we're a little early to this, but I want to get to it because I'm so excited about what we're about to try. This is a next stage first, y'.

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

All.

[Elise Hu]

We're going to enjoy a songwriting battle, but it's not between me and you. Thank God.

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

I thought I was battling you. Okay. Okay.

[Elise Hu]

It's not gonna be between two musicians even. It is between Pooh Bear, legendary music producer, and a machine. Well, not really a machine, I guess. An AI tool.

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

Yes.

[Elise Hu]

Called Suno.

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

Yes. Suno.

[Elise Hu]

Yes, it's called Suno. And just to be clear, Suno is a versatile tool.

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

Yes.

[Elise Hu]

But as with all generative AI tools. This is my disclaimer to all y'. All. As with all generative AI tools, the legalities for usage are still catching up to the technology. So do your own homework on there. Pooh Bear, do you want to set up what you're about to do?

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

I would love to set up.

[Elise Hu]

Okay, fantastic. I will leave the stage so that Pooh Bear can do this challenge because you don't need me for this.

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

Oh, man. I thought you were staying. All right. Yes. Great questions. Crush that. So first, I want to say happy birthday to everybody, because I feel like everybody should have a birthday every day. I don't feel like we should wait, you know? You like, My birthday's in three weeks. Oh, I can't wait. I feel like when you wake up, you should be like, oh, it's an amazing day. I can't wait for the day. So happy birthday to everybody. That's a the whole world TED Talk. Happy birthday. Yeah. So this is. I'm excited to be here. This process. Something. I don't even think I ever dreamed of doing this. So it was like, I could say it's beyond my wildest dreams. That's Sasha. Also my partner, hitmaker, producer. Done a lot of records, you know, as well. So we're actually. I'm going to battle Suno, the digital version of myself. So I'm gonna get some concepts from you guys. You know, you guys are gonna actually kind of help me write this song a little bit. You know what I'm saying? Maybe there's some publishing to give out somehow. I don't know, maybe like 1% or something like that. It could be life changing. And from there, I'm gonna create a hook and a post hook, and then we're going to prompt Suno and say, once I get the concept, hey, make a Pooh Bear style hook, post hook with a song with the three chord progressions. And we're gonna see, once we listen, which one moves you guys the most, Honestly, you know, and if Suno beats me, it's totally fine. I'm okay with it, you know? So how are we looking, Sasha? Looking good. Looking good.

[Elise Hu]

Yes, sir.

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

Okay, so, yeah, so first we're gonna find a nice three chord progression. There you go. I hear you. Then I don't now hear you again. I love that. Okay, now, concepts. Can I get. Yes, innovative ideas. Broke, but not broken. That's deep. Yeah. Wait, wait. Can I get somebody from over. Can I get a concept from anybody over here? Say it again. Wise voice, but voiceless. These are like, you guys graduated from Harvard in here. This is. This is heavy. Can I get some little weight, some less intelligent concepts for. All right, wait. Let's go to middle school. Starting Over Ninja Turtles. I'm gonna go with starting over. I was that close from doing a Ninja Turtle. You almost had me. So starting over. Need to. We're going to record one loop real quick. Let's record the loop. Here we go. Yeah, That's good. So starting over, I like to make. Hello, hello, hello. There we go. Starting over. So I believe in making hooks that are questions, but, like, rhetorical questions that we kind of know the answer to. So you say starting over, and I'm gonna say, should we be starting over? All right. Oh, we were able to loop. Get a baby loop of that. Right there. Is a mic on?

[Audience Member / Vocalist]

Yeah.

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

Okay. Am I double mic'd right now? Is this just a sound? Like I'm stacking myself without trying. Okay, now, so my first step will be to come up with a melody.

[Audience Member / Vocalist]

Are we starting over? Should we be starting over?

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

Okay, okay, okay. And then I will stop and I will say, oh, let's do it one more time. I got it. So this is really how it happens in the recording studio, guys. This is like real life. I like that. But I wasn't. I wasn't really feeling this. So now I'm. Try one more time. Okay.

[Audience Member / Vocalist]

Yeah, yeah. Should we be starting over? Starting over.

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

Okay. All right. So we got that. I like that first. I like that. That was. Everybody's okay with that first line. Wait, wait. Yeah. You know, you guys don't have to clap yet. Wait. Cause it's gonna be way too much clapping. We got, like. I don't want you guys to be clapped out. You know what I'm saying? Or you can play that backstage.

[Audience Member / Vocalist]

Should we be starting over?

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

Okay.

[Audience Member / Vocalist]

Starting over.

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

Okay, then I go again. Now let's do it. So now let's punch right that. Right after that.

[Audience Member / Vocalist]

Starting over. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Starting over.

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

Keep it going.

[Audience Member / Vocalist]

This one I go, should we be starting over? Oh, should we be starting over?

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

Okay, let's check that out. You can start it right back there, too, just to hear, like, really close. Yeah.

[Audience Member / Vocalist]

This one I go, should we be starting over?

[Elise Hu]

Oh, cool.

[Audience Member / Vocalist]

Should we be starting over.

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

Oh, can I get that? Push that last one.

[Audience Member / Vocalist]

Should we be starting over? Oh, should we be starting over?

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

Cool. All right, so we got that. That's the first half of the hook. And then what? Yay. Say.

[Audience Member / Vocalist]

Oh yeah. Should we be starting over? Cause I don't want to be let down. You don't want to be let down?

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

Okay, stop. Okay, let's listen back to that.

[Audience Member / Vocalist]

I don't want to be let down. You don't want to be let down. Should we take the time and turn this love around?

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

Okay, let's hear that back. I'm thinking of this. It's real time. This is tough, guys. And everybody's looking at me. Thanks.

[Audience Member / Vocalist]

Should we take the time and turn his love around? Who should we stop?

[Elise Hu]

Start over?

[Audience Member / Vocalist]

Should we be starting over?

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

Let's hear that. Come on. Okay. AI is in trouble. I don't know. I don't know, man. I know Suno's in there. Like the digital version of PO's in there. Like warming up, doing push ups right now. Like, yeah, like, yeah. Shadow boxing. Yeah.

[Audience Member / Vocalist]

You don't want to be let down. Should we take the time and time is love around. Who should we start over? Who should we be starting over? Yeah.

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

Okay, I accept that now. Now. So now that's the hook, right? So that's the point part. That's the chorus. And now I'm going to do a post hook and this will be the part that will be the chant kind of light. So let's. Let's do. Let's see what happens.

[Audience Member / Vocalist]

Should we be starting over? Yeah. Yeah.

[Elise Hu]

Oh.

[Audience Member / Vocalist]

Yeah. Should we be starting over?

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

Okay, that might work. Let's listen. I want to forget that. Let's punch after that. This is after the second line. Yeah, after the second. Yeah.

[Audience Member / Vocalist]

Should we starting over?

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

Okay, let's say that back. The post hook.

[Audience Member / Vocalist]

Should we starting over?

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

Yeah. Okay. All right. That's my hook and my. That's it. But we're not even going to play that back yet. So now we prompt. Let's prompt it. Pooh bear, give me a hook. Should we be starting over? 3/4. This is it, guys. I'm a little nervous a little bit. I'm sweating it on it. Sweating on the inside. I know you can't. Can't see my sweat. All right. And this is. And I'm battling, generating. Watch this. It's gonna be way quicker than what I just did. And this is the digital version of myself. What do you think? Eight seconds. Going to put it on. Five, four, three, two, one. Well, I did press play.

[Elise Hu]

It's ready.

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

Okay. See, this is why AI, you know, you can't. Exactly. Exactly. He's letting us down right now. Oh.

[Audience Member / Vocalist]

Should we be starting over? Chasing while we lost in the clover the cracks are wide but the heart still sober. Oh, should we try? Oh, should we try?

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

Okay, we're just having some. Some Internet problem. Okay.

[Audience Member / Vocalist]

When the echoes don't lie. Oh, should we try it? Should we be starting over?

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

Okay.

[Audience Member / Vocalist]

All right.

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

Okay.

[Audience Member / Vocalist]

All right.

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

That was the digital version of myself. I'm not sure if it made a lot of sense, but it's okay. So now can we play back? Can we play back the poop. The Pooh Bear human soul experience? Okay.

[Audience Member / Vocalist]

Should we be starting off? Over? Starting over? When I go, should we be starting over? Oh, should we be starting over? Cuz I don't want to be let down. You don't want to be let down. Should we take time and time? Turn his love around?

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

Who?

[Audience Member / Vocalist]

Should we start over? Who should we be starting over? Should we starting over?

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

Okay. Sorry about the Internet. Not having it, but okay. So I'll let you guys decide which one the human Pooh Bear. Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you so much. And that's my exercise. I hope this proves that we still. We're gonna always need human soul, but we will be able to use Suno. We will be able. We should be able to adapt. We have to adapt. So let's not count it out, but let's incorporate human soul forever. All right. Happy birthday.

[Audience Member / Vocalist]

Who bear? Who bear, everybody?

[Elise Hu]

That was Jason Pooh Bear Boyd in conversation with me, Elise Hu, at TED Next 2025. If you're curious about TED's curation, find out [e-mail] curationguidelines and that's it for today. TED Talks Daily is part of the TED Audio Collective. This talk was fact checked by the TED research team and produced and edited by our team, Martha Estefanos, Oliver Friedman, Brian Greene, Lucy Little and Tansika Sangmarnivang. This episode was mixed by Christopher Faizy Bogan. Additional support from Emma Tobner and Daniela Balarazo. I'm Elise Hu. I'll be back tomorrow with a fresh idea for your feed. Thanks for listening.

[Capital One Advertiser]

With no fees or minimums on checking accounts, it's no wonder the Capital One bank guy is so passionate about banking with Capital One. If he were here, he wouldn't just tell you about no fees or minimums. He'd also talk about how most Capital One cafes are open seven days a week to assist with your banking needs. Yep, even on weekends it's pretty much all he talks about in a good way. What's in your wallet terms apply. See capitalone.com bank capital1na member FDIC.

[Elise Hu]

Why choose a sleep number Smart bed Can I make my site softer?

[Capital One Advertiser]

Can I make my site firmer? Can we sleep cooler?

[Elise Hu]

Sleep number does that cools up to eight times faster and lets you choose your ideal comfort on either side your sleep number setting. Enjoy personalized comfort for better sleep night after night. And now during our President's day sale take 50% off our limited edition bed Shop now for a limited time only at a sleep number store or sleepnumber.com.

[Jason 'Pooh Bear' Boyd]

Everyone deserves to be connected. That's why T Mobile and US Cellular are joining forces. Switch to T Mobile and save up to 20% versus Verizon by getting built in benefits they leave out. Check the math@t mobile.com switch and now T mobile is in US cellular stores. Savings versus Comparable Verizon plans plus the cost of optional benefits, plan features and taxes and fees vary. Savings with three plus lines include third line free via monthly bill credits. Credit stop if you cancel any lines. Qualifying credit required.