Is AI ruining music? | Dustin Ballard

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Is AI Ruining Music?" by Dustin Ballard

Podcast Information

• Title: TED Talks Daily
• Host/Author: TED
• Episode: Is AI Ruining Music? | Dustin Ballard
• Release Date: August 7, 2025

---

Introduction and Context

In the episode titled "Is AI Ruining Music?" featured on TED Talks Daily, musician and social media creator Dustin Ballard delves into the evolving landscape of music in the age of Artificial Intelligence. Dustin introduces the central question of his talk: What makes music "real" music? He draws parallels between early 20th-century skepticism toward the phonograph and today's debates surrounding AI's role in music creation.

Dustin Ballard’s Journey with AI and Music

Dustin Ballard is renowned for his YouTube channel, There I Ruined It, where he humorously and artistically "ruins" popular songs using various techniques, including AI. He explains that his primary goal is to "lovingly destroy your favorite songs," provoking listeners to rethink their perceptions of authenticity in music.

Dustin Ballard (02:40): "What is real music? Now, this is a question that's come up with synthesizers, with sampling in hip hop music, even with the phonograph when it first came out in the 1800s..."

Exploring the Authenticity of AI-Generated Music

Dustin begins by sharing an anecdote that sets the stage for his exploration. He references John Philip Sousa, likening him to a "Taylor Swift of his day," who criticized early phonographs for lacking "human skill, intelligence, and soul." This historical perspective serves to frame the ongoing debate about AI's capacity to produce genuine music.

Dustin Ballard (03:20): "I just made up that entire story. It was actually 100% AI. I apologize for lying, but there is a reason for it."

By admitting he fabricated the connection between Bowie’s Starman chorus and a 1937 blues song—crafted entirely by AI—Dustin emphasizes the blurred lines between human creativity and machine-generated content. This confession leads to his fundamental inquiry about the essence of music.

Demonstrating AI’s Impact on Music Creation

Dustin showcases his methods by presenting modified versions of well-known songs. For instance, he transforms 50 Cent's "In Da Club" into a rendition performed by an AI-impersonated Conway Twitty.

Dustin Ballard (05:15): "So how did I create that song? The band you heard is actually a real band. In fact, that's me playing the fiddle... I ran my vocals, my impersonation of Conway Twitty, through a custom AI voice model trained on his voice."

He further illustrates the versatility and potential of AI in music by altering lyrics and melodies, as seen in his parody of the Red Hot Chili Peppers song, where he manipulates grocery list items into song lyrics.

The Emotional Disconnect of AI in Music

Dustin shares a personal experience with an entirely AI-generated song that evoked emotional discomfort. The AI-created blues song, told to be by a non-existent old man, felt "a little wrong" because it lacked genuine human emotion.

Dustin Ballard (06:33): "Hearing the pain in that man's voice who never existed, something about that just felt a little wrong to me."

This moment underscores his concern that AI-generated music might lack the authentic expression that listeners connect with, prompting deeper reflection on whether music is merely a collection of melodies and rhythms or if it's fundamentally about emotional expression.

Diverse Applications and Ethical Considerations of AI in Music

Dustin explores various applications of AI in music creation, comparing them to past technological advancements:

• Lyrics Assistance: Using AI for generating song lyrics is likened to utilizing a rhyming dictionary.
• New Instrument Sounds: AI's ability to create novel instrument sounds is compared to the invention of the synthesizer.
• Style Emulation: Training AI on his body of work to produce new songs in his style raises questions about authorship and authenticity.

He also humorously experiments with blending different genres and styles, such as merging "Baby Got Back" with Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah," performed through a coworker's voice.

Navigating the Future: Creativity and Regulation

Addressing the regulatory landscape, Dustin references a US Congressional hearing where a representative conflated AI with robots, highlighting the confusion surrounding AI's legal and creative boundaries.

Dustin Ballard (08:52): "There was a recent US Congressional hearing on AI music where they played my mashup of AI Johnny Cash singing the song Barbie Girl, to which Representative Matt Gaetz replied, robots should not be subject to free speech."

Dustin emphasizes the need for musicians to establish their own ethical guidelines regarding AI usage, focusing on three key principles:

1. Deceptiveness: Ensuring AI-generated content is not misleadingly presented as entirely human-created.
2. Artistic Intent: Differentiating between mass-producing AI content and using AI as a tool for genuine artistic expression.
3. Impact on Musicians: Considering how AI affects human musicians, often highlighting that those "ruined" by his parodies tend to embrace and share the AI-altered versions, suggesting a symbiotic relationship.

Enhancing Creativity Through AI

Despite acknowledging the potential downsides, Dustin remains optimistic about AI's role in fostering creativity. He believes AI can lead to the creation of new songs, sounds, and styles that are currently beyond human imagination.

Dustin Ballard (11:49): "I think a lot of artists are discovering the same thing I did, which is there are ways to use AI that can actually increase creativity."

He concludes with a humorous nod to his work, presenting an AI-generated monstrosity intended for Nickelback fans, further illustrating the playful and experimental nature of his approach to AI in music.

Conclusion and Future Perspectives

Dustin Ballard's talk effectively bridges the historical skepticism of new music technologies with contemporary debates on AI's role in music. By demonstrating both the creative possibilities and ethical challenges, he invites listeners to reconsider their definitions of authenticity and creativity in the digital age. Dustin envisions a future where AI serves as a collaborator, enhancing human creativity rather than replacing it, ultimately enriching the musical landscape with innovations that honor both technology and human emotion.

---

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Dustin Ballard (03:20): "What is real music? Now, this is a question that's come up with synthesizers, with sampling in hip hop music, even with the phonograph when it first came out in the 1800s..."

• Dustin Ballard (05:15): "The band you heard is actually a real band. In fact, that's me playing the fiddle... I ran my vocals, my impersonation of Conway Twitty, through a custom AI voice model trained on his voice."

• Dustin Ballard (06:33): "Hearing the pain in that man's voice who never existed, something about that just felt a little wrong to me."

• Dustin Ballard (08:52): "There was a recent US Congressional hearing on AI music where they played my mashup of AI Johnny Cash singing the song Barbie Girl, to which Representative Matt Gaetz replied, robots should not be subject to free speech."

• Dustin Ballard (11:49): "I think a lot of artists are discovering the same thing I did, which is there are ways to use AI that can actually increase creativity."

---

This comprehensive summary encapsulates Dustin Ballard's exploration of AI's influence on music, highlighting both his innovative use of technology and his thoughtful consideration of its implications for authenticity and creativity in the musical arts.

Transcript

[Elise Hu]

You're listening to TED Talks Daily, where we bring you new ideas to spark your curiosity every day. I'm your host, Elise Hu. Did you know that when the phonograph first came out in the early 1900s, some argued that pre recorded music wasn't real music? In this talk, musician and social media creator Dustin Ballard says, we're still wrestling with that question today. What makes music real, real music in the first place? Dustin is known for his popular YouTube channel there I Ruined it, where he uses artistry and AI to, quote, lovingly destroy our favorite songs. He weaves us through a few hilarious examples of different ways he's quote ruined songs and complicates our questions around AI's role in music making.

[Dustin Ballard]

Foreign.

[Wise Advertisement]

This podcast is brought to you by Wise, the app for international people using money around the globe. With Wise, you can send, spend and receive up to 40 currencies with only a few simple taps and save up to 55% compared to major banks. Plus, wise won't add hidden fees to your transfer. Whether you're buying souvenirs with pesos in Puerto Vallarta or sending euros to a loved one in Paris, you know you're getting a fair exchange rate with no extra markups. Be smart. You join the 15 million customers who choose Wyze. Download the Wyze app today or visit wise.com learn more by visiting wise.com us compare T's and C's apply.

[Sleep Number Advertisement]

Why choose a Sleep Number Smart Bed.

[Elise Hu]

Can I make my site softer?

[Apple Card Advertisement]

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

[Sleep Number Advertisement]

Sleep Number does that cools up to eight times faster and lets you choose your ideal comfort on either side. Your Sleep Number setting Get early Access to sleep number's biggest sale of the year 25% off the i8 bed, our most popular plus free home delivery limited time All Sleep Number Smart beds offer temperature solutions for your best sleep. Check it out at a Sleep number store or sleepnumber.com today.

[Elise Hu]

This message is brought to you by Apple Card. Did you know Apple Card is designed to help you pay off your balance faster with smart payment suggestions? And because fees don't help you, Apple Card doesn't have any. So if your credit card isn't Apple Card, maybe it should be subject to credit approval. Apple Card issued by Goldman Sachs Bank USA Salt Lake City Branch Variable APRs range from 18.24% to 28.49% based on creditworthiness rates as of July 1, 2025 Terms and [e-mail].

[Dustin Ballard]

I'll start today with some obscure music history. So if you're a David Bowie fan, you may already know this, but the chorus of the song Starman was actually borrowed from a 1937 blues song by T Bone Fletcher, which I'm going to play you a clip of.

[AI Voice Example]

There's a starman waiting in the sky he'd like to come and meet us but he thinks he'd blow our mind There's a starman waiting in the sky.

[Dustin Ballard]

Now I love Bowie's cover, but there's just something about a beat up guitar and an old man singing straight from the soul that to me, really gets to the emotion of the song. And I think what's most interesting is that I just made up that entire story. It was actually 100% AI. I apologize for lying, but there is a reason for it. I'd like to start with a question. What is real music? Now, this is a question that's come up with synthesizers, with sampling in hip hop music, even with the phonograph when it first came out in the 1800s, people back then debated whether or not reproduced music was real music. John Philip Sousa, the Taylor Swift of his day, was not a fan. He said that phonographs were a substitute for. For human skill, intelligence and soul. They reduce the expression of music to a mathematical system. It almost sounds like he's talking about AI, doesn't it? So is AI real music? I believe that when it's in the hands of musicians, it can be. But first, let me give you some context for why I think that. So I run a parody music social media channel called There I Ruined It. This is just a thank you. This is just a weird evening hobby of mine. My day job is as an advertising creative director. But the purpose of the channel is to ruin music, or as I say, to lovingly destroy your favorite songs. And AI is one of the tools that I often use to do that. So, for example, here is my cover of the 50 cent song in Da Club as performed by an AI version of country music legend Conway Twitty.

[AI Voice Example]

You can find me in the club A bottle full of bug I'm into having sex I ain't into making love so come give me a thug if you're into getting rugged go shoddy it's your birthday we're gonna party like it's your birthday When I pull up out front you see the bands on the doves.

[Dustin Ballard]

Thank you. So how did I create that song? The band you heard is actually a real band. In fact, that's me playing the fiddle. There's Just one extra step in the process where I ran my vocals, my impersonation of Conway Twitty, through a custom AI voice model trained on his voice. So to give you another example, along with a peek behind the curtain, in this next clip, you'll hear my actual voice, followed by the post AI version. And this is from a song that I call the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Make a grocery list. Quino bananas, ravioli, canned tuna, pickles, macaroni.

[AI Voice Example]

Quinoa bananas, ravioli, canned tuna, pickles, macaroni.

[Dustin Ballard]

Now, the David Bowie blues song I played for you in the beginning, that was actually created in a totally different way. That was 100% AI from a text prompt, which to me is a little more unnerving. In fact, when I first generated that song, it kind of messed with my head a little. Because I love old music. I perform music from that era. And to hear the pain in that man's voice who never existed, something about that just felt a little wrong to me. And that's why I lied to you guys up front. I suspect that some of you may have enjoyed that song up until the point you found out it was AI and to me, that would imply that maybe there's more to music than the music. So is music melody and rhythm and chords, or is music expression? And to a listener, does it always matter? If I hear a song I love on the radio, am I going to stop everything and research how that song was created? Maybe not. It gets even messier when you look at the range of ways that AI can be used to create music. So for example, what if I used AI to help with some song lyrics? Is that much different than, say, a rhyming dictionary? What if I used AI to create a new instrument sound that's never existed is that much different than a synthesizer? What if I trained an AI model on my entire body of work and it created a new song in my style? Is that something I would put my name on? Or what if I wanted to use different voices like a guitarist can use different guitars? Or am I just stuck with the voice that I happen to be born with? So I have a co worker with a great baritone voice, and he was very amused one day when I asked him if I could purchase his voice for a song that I was working on. So I'll play you a clip of that. So this is my singing through my co worker's voice. And it's the song Baby Got Back, but set to the tune of Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen.

[AI Voice Example]

I like big butts. I cannot Lie you other brothers can't deny? When around things in your face you get sprung When a girl walks in, you pull up tough cause you notice that her butt was stuffed. My homeboys tried to warn you.

[Dustin Ballard]

Thank you. Thanks. I did enjoy just looking across the faces of this esteemed audience as that song was playing. I'll give you one more example. So in this next clip, you'll hear a melody I made up on my violin. And then I asked AI to turn that into a dramatic movie score. So all this to say there are a million ways to use AI. The term AI music doesn't really clarify anything. And in fact, even our own lawmakers don't really seem to understand this. So there was a recent US Congressional hearing on AI music where they played my mashup of AI Johnny Cash singing the song Barbie Girl, to which Representative Matt Gaetz replied, robots should not be subject to free speech. Now, for the record, I am not a robot, but I do think this illustrates some of the confusion around this topic, which kind of leaves musicians like myself to come up with our own guardrails for how to use AI what's right and what's wrong. And. And for me, it kind of comes down to three things. The first is, is it deceptive? Could somebody believe this is actually real? Next is their artistic intent behind it. So if you're one of these people that's mass producing AI songs, hundreds of songs, and uploading them to Spotify, your intent is probably not artistic. And then finally, how does this affect the musicians? And oftentimes, the victims of the songs that I create actually end up sharing those same songs on social media. So, for example, here's a clip of Snoop Dogg reacting to a mashup I made called the Bare Necessities are Gin and Juice, Mate.

[AI Voice Example]

I kick a little something for the jeans and make a few ends As I breeze through 2 in the morning and the party still jumping? Cause my mama ain't home I got bitches in the living room getting it on and they ain't leaving till six in the morning.

[Dustin Ballard]

What you want to do?

[AI Voice Example]

Shit, I got a pocket full of ruffles and my homeboys do too.

[Dustin Ballard]

Thank you. So when I see people like Snoop and Ed Sheeran and Nicki Minaj and others sharing these things, to me, it's hopefully an indication that in my own weird way, I'm using these technologies to contribute something new to the world. And I think at the end of the day, even with all of the many downsides of AI messing with our music, I think A lot of artists are discovering the same thing I did, which is there are ways to use AI that can actually increase creativity. I think we could see new songs, new sounds, new styles that maybe we can't even imagine today. Much like it would have been hard for somebody like John Philip Sousa to have imagined this final monstrosity. I'm going to play for you. And this goes out to all the Nickelback fans.

[AI Voice Example]

Look at this photograph. It's a photo of a photograph. There's another freaking photograph. Because I photographed a photograph. So many photographs makes me want to take a photograph. I should probably name that photograph next to my photo of a photograph.

Look at this phone. I drown every time I do it. Makes me laugh. Hear the sounds of the nighttime dance all the gals run again in my pants.

But back to that photograph. It reminds me of the photograph before the photo of that photograph, when it was just a normal photograph.

[Dustin Ballard]

Thank you all so much. Thank you.

[Elise Hu]

That was Dustin Ballard speaking at TED 2020. If you're curious about TED's curation, find out [e-mail] curationguidelines and that's it for today's show. TED Talks Daily is part of the TED Audio Collective. This episode was produced and edited by our team, Martha Estefanos, Oliver Friedman, Brian Greene, Lucy Little, Alejandra Salazar, and Tonsika Sarmarnivon. It was mixed by Christopher Faizy Bogan. Additional support from Emma Tobner and Daniela Balaurazo. I'm Elise Hu. I'll be back tomorrow with a fresh idea for your feed. Thanks for listening.

[Lindsey Graham]

What does it take for a crime to become a rallying cry, a cautionary tale, a catastrophe? I'm Lindsey Graham, host of American Scandal, where we bring to life some of the biggest controversies in U.S. history. Our newest season, ruby Ridge Standoff, uncovers a deadly confrontation that changed the nation forever. They were there to arrest Weaver for a simple weapons charge, but the situation would soon escalate into a tragic and deadly standoff. And Ruby Ridge became more than a place. It became a symbol, a battle cry, and a turning point in American history. Thirty years later, its dark legacy continues to shape our nation's deepest divisions. Follow American Scandal on the Wondry app or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge all episodes of American Scandal's Ruby Ridge Standoff early and ad free right now on Wonderful.

[Grubhub Advertisement]

This is Mike. Mike's stuck in traffic. The only thing that could make this worse is if he promised to cook his date dinner at 8, which he did. But it's now 7:30 and he's still on the 5. Good thing Mike has Grubhub plus with Prime. Zero dollar delivery fees, zero stress, zero rush. Dinner's covered and so is his reputation. Free Grubhub Plus. It's on Prime. Additional terms and fees apply.

[Apple Card Advertisement]

Banking with Capital One helps you keep more money in your wallet with no fees or minimums on checking accounts and no overdraft fees. Just ask the Capital One Bank Guy. It's pretty much all he talks about in a good way. He'd also tell you that this podcast is his favorite podcast too. Ah, really? Thanks, Capital One Bank Guy. What's in your wallet? Terms apply. See capitalone. Com bank capital1NA member FDIC.