Kelly Clarkson Says She’s Now “Obsessed With” AI—After Previously Claiming “AI Doesn’t Have a Soul”

Kelly Clarkson revealed her “controversial” stance on AI on the Las Culturistas podcast, expressing enthusiasm for the technology’s creative potential while acknowledging concerns about its growing presence in the music industry.The American Idol winner proposed creating a separate chart for AI-generated music, arguing that while AI is “cool and creative,” it shouldn't compete directly with human artists on mainstream charts.Her nuanced position sparked mixed fan reactions, with supporters praising the separate chart idea and critics questioning her support for AI technology altogether.Of all the celebrities who have seemingly endorsed AI, national treasure Kelly Clarkson was the last one I expected to be on board. Well, sort of—the first-ever American Idol admitted her surprising “controversial” stance on AI, but mentioned a major caveat that still has her on the fence.During an appearance on Bowen Yang and Matt Rodgers’s pod, Las Culturistas, Kelly said, “It’s controversial, I don’t care. Here’s the thing, I love AI. There’s very amazing things with AI that I’m obsessed with it.” (There’s a very big “but” coming, but more on that in a sec.)According to Deezer, per a recent Variety report, “Half of all new uploads to streaming platforms are now AI,” and 85 percent of fully AI-generated music streams are fraudulent. Despite her support for the technology, which she jokingly referred to as her “lover” during the interview, Kelly seemed to acknowledge AI’s infiltration of the music industry and how it affects charting and sales for human artists like herself.“But, when you see AI artists competing on a chart with humans, I have an issue,” she continued. “I think there should be a separate chart. I think it’s welcome to the table, it’s really cool and creative what we’re going to create musically with AI…but I don’t think they should be competing with humans…but there can be an appetite for both.”Naturally, fans had mixed reactions to Kelly’s stance on AI.“A separate chart for ai music. finally, billboard gets a spam folder,” one person joked, while another wrote, “I love Kelly Clarkson, but no. There really is no in-between with AI in my opinion. The cost overall is too high.”My fave response: A simple “no” alongside a clip of Charli xcx’s nonchalant clapping at the VMAs.So…let me get this straight. Kelly’s seemingly open to AI, unless it gets in the way of her creativity (and, of course, her bag).The timing is interesting, considering Kelly gave very different thoughts on AI music when she appeared in a How Online Are You? segment with Betches a few weeks earlier. At the time, she said, “I think AI is very helpful in other areas of life, but when it comes to art…AI doesn’t have a soul.” Oh, and she added, “Don’t come to my show looking for that shit.”The Grammy winner has yet to elaborate on her latest comments, but one thing’s for sure: ChatGPT could never make “Since U Been Gone.”