Will.i.am has achieved great success as a member of the massively popular hip-hop group Black Eyed Peas (“Imma Be,” “Boom Boom Pow,” “I Gotta Feeling”) and as a songwriter and producer for major artists like Michael Jackson, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, Justin Timberlake, Lady Gaga, and U2. However, in his discussion with Carolyn Giardina, Variety’s senior entertainment and crafts editor, at the Variety Summit at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, he concentrated on his innovative ventures as a tech entrepreneur, especially his role as the founder and CEO of fyi.ai.
A large part of his presentation was dedicated to demonstrating the fyi.ai app, which is described as “an AI-powered productivity tool designed to serve the creative community and beyond.”
On Monday at CES, will.i.am appeared at LG’s press conference to showcase a new range of audio products he helped develop as the “experiential architect” for the “xboom by will.i.am” brand, including Bluetooth speakers that utilize AI to automatically adjust the sound to highlight melody, rhythm, or voice.
Will.i.am told Giardina that the need for regulations and governance in AI is urgent, but he doesn’t feel threatened by the technology.
“I’m not worried about AI making music because it’s making music differently than what I need to make music for,” he explained. “I make music for my spiritual rants. It’s therapeutic for me, regardless if people listen to it or not. I have to do it for my own emotional grounding.”
He also shared that he’s faced criticism for suggesting that AI-generated music could have the same emotional impact on people as the music of Prince had on him.
“I was going to make awesome music just like Prince did, and then somebody be like, ‘Hey, but Prince ain’t a robot, though,’” the artist-entrepreneur said, adding that he starts a residency with the Black Eyed Peas at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas next month. “I’m like, yeah, but he was awesome, and awesome is awesome. But, more importantly, Prince’s awesomeness did not dim my light. Prince’s awesomeness inspired me. And if you are now going to be afraid of being inspired, then you ain’t truly creative.”
