Dr. Dre has said the only people who see artificial intelligence (AI) as a threat are those “who have trouble creating.”
The legendary rapper and music producer made the comment during an interview with his longtime business partner, Jimmy Iovine, published by The New York Times on Sunday.
Dr. Dre Defends AI
Dre, 61, said he does not see AI as a threat to the music industry. Instead, he views it as another tool that artists can use to improve their work.
“I think the only people that see it as a threat are the people who have trouble creating.”
The Aftermath founder compared the debate around AI to the reaction to drum machines and synthesizers when they were first introduced.
“I had a discussion with a few people a few days ago,” Dre said. “They were against AI and I’m like, ‘OK, you sound like the person that would have been against the drum machine when it came out.’ Or synthesizers, right? It’s a new tool for creativity. Some people are afraid of learning new things.”
Dre Uses AI in Music
Dre also said he has started using AI in his own music work.
“I’m using AI tech in music ‘as a tool to see what it would do with what I just did.’”
Iovine said other top producers are also using the technology, including Timbaland.
“So is Timbaland another brilliant producer. By the way, there’s a lot of closet AI producers out there.”
When asked about his most recent question to an AI chatbot, Dre said he asked about building muscle while losing fat.
“How do you put on muscle and lose fat at the same time? That’s it.”
AI Debate Continues
Dre’s comments come as the music industry continues to debate the use of AI.
Several music companies and artists have raised concerns about copyright and the use of songs to train AI systems without permission.
Music platforms are also taking steps to identify AI-generated content. Apple Music is expected to begin labeling songs created with AI platforms later this year, while Spotify has introduced labels for profiles that appear to be AI-generated.
Dre was named to Forbes’ 2026 billionaires list with an estimated net worth of $1 billion.
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