BTS’s Suga Faces Backlash Over Controversial Opinion on AI in Music

BTS is facing backlash after Suga’s recent comments on AI music tools in a Bloomberg interview.

The controversy began when BTS promoted their comeback with the title track “Swim” from their album Arirang. During the interview, Suga was asked about changes since their last comeback. He said more music is being released because “a lot of people are using AI tools to create music.”

Suga compared AI’s rise to the Industrial Revolution, saying:

“It’s like the Industrial Revolution, where there was this huge shift from horses to cars and trains. I don’t feel negatively about this change. A lot of people are putting it to use in the right way. We don’t use it.

In the past, there used to be like 100 songwriters under one producer. Nowadays, you could say that there’s an AI tool instead of all those songwriters. But the most important thing, whether you’re working with human songwriters or AI, the important thing is you need to have a discerning eye to tell whether this piece of music is good.

We can no longer reject this change because it’s irreversible now. Instead of just crossing my arms and saying ‘I’m against this,’ I feel like there will come a day when we just have to embrace what’s happening.”

Fans quickly reacted online, many expressing disappointment and calling his view “defeatist.” Critics argued that Suga’s acceptance ignores the environmental and social costs linked to AI technology.

One fan tweeted:

“this is the most defeatist, capitalist take, removing the humanity of songwriting.

he’s telling people to accept the water insecurity and poisoning of communities surrounding the facilities that house these AI computers.

‘just give up it’s inevitable.’ well i say NO, STOP AI”

Another added:

“oh brother… the future is NOT going to be okay

‘we’ can afford to ‘embrace’ this change with blood on our hands of all the communities being deprived of life & dignity and the genocides being perpetrated by these very same companies and systems. those people don’t get a choice”

Others defended Suga’s response, highlighting that BTS themselves do not use AI in their music production.

“Leave it up to Yoongi to give the most eloquent answer to this ”

“BTS don’t use AI on their works. So don’t use AI on them. Is that too hard to understand?”

As the situation unfolded, the debate over AI’s role in music continues to divide fans. BTS remains focused on promoting Arirang and their new single “Swim,” while the conversation around AI in the industry heats up.