Warner Music has stirred up controversy with the debut of its latest artist, an artificial intelligence-generated pop star named Noonoouri. The record label made history by signing the first AI musician and released her debut single, Dominoes, accompanied by a music video featuring the blue-haired virtual influencer donning a bikini from Kim Kardashians Skims collection.
Created in 2018 by German graphic designer Joerg Zuber, Noonoouri was conceived as a 19-year-old metaverse avatar. Since then, she has starred in campaigns for top fashion houses such as Dior, Balenciaga, and Valentino, and has graced the pages of prominent magazines like Elle, Vogue, and Harper’s Bazaar after signing with IMG Models Worldwide.
Noonoouri’s song, which explores the interconnectedness of the world and the impact of our actions, features an entirely AI-generated voice, revealed the song’s credits on YouTube. The vocals were provided by Leonardo Martinelli and Rafa Caivano, two male music veterans who will receive royalties from the song.
However, the music video has sparked outrage on social media, with users accusing Warner Music of sexualizing and exploiting children. Commenters expressed their concerns, criticizing the design of Noonoouri for appearing more like an adult woman rather than a petite adult female as intended. Some even speculated on the potential motivations behind creating a virtual character aimed at making a 12-year-old look sexy, which raised concerns about the sexualization of minors.
Representatives from Warner Music have yet to comment on the backlash surrounding Noonoouri’s debut. Meanwhile, Joerg Zuber has described his creation as a fusion of two influential figures in the fashion industry: supermodel Naomi Campbell and social media icon Kim Kardashian.
The controversy surrounding Noonoouri’s release has extended beyond social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter. Critics fear that Warner Music’s venture into AI-generated music could mark the downfall of authentic musical talent. Some commenters expressed concern for real singers and musicians, suggesting that the industry’s future may be jeopardized by such collaborations with artificial intelligence.
The backlash against Warner Music underscores the delicate balance between innovation and ethics in the entertainment industry. While Noonoouri represents a significant milestone in the development of AI technology, the moral implications of sexualizing a virtual character designed to appeal to young audiences are raising valid concerns.
As Warner Music faces criticism for its latest venture, the music industry as a whole is left to grapple with the potential consequences of embracing AI as a creative force. Time will tell how this controversial debut will impact the future of the industry and whether virtual influencers like Noonoouri will continue to gain prominence in the music world.
