Nile Rodgers has accused critics of being hypocritical for objecting to his use of artificial intelligence, arguing that people who routinely rely on AI-powered technology shouldn't take issue with his using it to create a music video.
The Chic co-founder sparked a backlash on Instagram earlier this week after sharing a behind-the-scenes clip of himself being digitally captured for an upcoming project. Rodgers described the process as “creating an AI me,” calling it “next level” and expressing excitement about the finished result.
“I envisioned stories with incredible environments and music. It’s future time!” he wrote, citing the Eagles' residency at Las Vegas' Sphere as inspiration.
Not everyone was enthusiastic. Several Instagram followers questioned his decision to embrace AI. One expressed disappointment, another suggested there were better ways to preserve his legacy, and a third asked: “What is happening with old artists using AI?!”
Rodgers wasn't prepared to accept the criticism. Responding to one commenter who dismissed AI-generated content as “some kind of magic for old ppl,” the producer challenged them to wait until they'd seen the finished work.
“Do you have a problem with CGI? I can’t believe you’d go on record without even seeing what I’m doing.
“Oh well… sending love anyway. Let me know after you see the work if you feel the same way your brain is taking you❤️.”
The project turns out to be a video for Rodgers' 2020 charity recording of ‘The Christmas Song,’ featuring Rebecca Ferguson. Subsequent posts offered a glimpse of the production, including images of the two performers alongside an enormous fuzzy creature, a collection of cuddly animals in the audience, and a festive green-and-gold title card.
When another follower questioned the decision to use AI for a charitable project, Rodgers offered a more detailed account of the creative process, insisting the technology hadn't simply been left to generate the visuals on its own.
“We created everything. Mood boards, storyboards and did it the same way we’d do a film,” he explained.
“The AI did what we told it to do and we painstakingly created every second you’ll see on the screen. My director is a TV director. We did it setup by setup. If this were a traditional film, it would’ve cost about $100,000.”
Rodgers, who has famously played a white Stratocaster through nearly all his career, also turned the criticism back on his detractors, arguing that their everyday reliance on technology makes their objections difficult to justify.
“By the way, you’re using AI daily. You just hit me on Instagram. You’re being hypocritical. It’s OK for you to use AI in your way, but you have problem with my way. Do you use Google, or get driving directions? Look at your own daily actions and check how much you use AI. Love, Nile.”
The finished video is scheduled to arrive November 20. But Rodgers' explanation of the project also revealed a more personal reason for making it: his own experience with cancer and the encouragement he received from a young child during his recovery.
“When I had my 1st bout of cancer, it was a child who coached me and gave me courage to fight,” he wrote.
“I know a lot of children who are bedridden and ill. Their main form of entertainment is the iPad or other such devices. I produced ‘The Christmas Song’ to give them a little joy during the holiday season.”
Rodgers said the video would give the song's storyline a playful twist, while introducing him to a new creative circle. He plans to share additional previews as the team works toward the November 20 release.
This isn't the first time Rodgers has spoken out in favor of AI. As Consequence previously reported, he defended generative technology in 2023, dismissing the argument that AI-generated music is “fake” as something that “sounds like noise to me.”
“The drum machine and sequencer have been wonderful tools. There are bands that could never have had a record if it wasn’t for a sequencer,” he said.
