When AI beats humans at songwriting: How AKB48’s latest single was born

It is well documented that many employees in a range of industries are concerned about artificial intelligence (AI) threatening their jobs. Now, even songwriters and music producers may have reason to worry, if the latest single from Japanese pop group AKB48 is anything to go by.

To decide which song the group would release next, well-known J-pop producer Yasushi Akimoto faced off against an AI version of himself in a Nippon TV competition. The AI was trained on Akimoto’s library of lyrics and past interviews to mimic his creative style.

Fans choose between human and machine

Fans were asked to vote for their favorite between the retro-style “Cecil,” written by the real Akimoto, and the techno-pop track “Omoide Scroll” (“Memory Scroll”), created by the AI.

“If the AI can write a better song, that would make me happy,” Akimoto said before the vote was announced. “I want to see it and think, ‘I never thought of that! It’ll help us decide which direction the next AKB ought to head in.’”

AI takes the win

In the end, the AI captured more than 57% of the votes, 14,225 out of 24,760, prompting a change of heart from the producer.

“How am I supposed to react to this?” Akimoto asked. “It’s disappointing, I wrote it with all my effort.”

Inside AKB48’s unique setup

AKB48 is one of the world’s most unorthodox music acts. The girl group currently has 35 official members, divided into rotating teams for live performances. Another eight trainees serve as understudies until they are promoted.

The lineup has frequently changed since the group’s founding in 2005, with members leaving, being replaced, or transferring to sister groups.

AKB48 has sold more records than any other female musical act in Japanese history and ranks as the seventh-best-selling girl group worldwide, ahead of Destiny’s Child and the Pussycat Dolls.

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