In a candid interview with Baby Huey and Chasta of the San Francisco radio station 107.7 The Bone on September 16, 2026, Eric Kretz, the enduring drummer for the iconic rock band Stone Temple Pilots, articulated profound reservations regarding the burgeoning use of artificial intelligence (AI) in creative fields, particularly music. Kretz’s commentary comes at a time when AI-powered music generation tools, capable of producing melodies, harmonies, and lyrics through sophisticated algorithms and machine learning models, are becoming increasingly accessible and capable. His remarks provide a stark perspective from a veteran musician deeply invested in the human element of artistic creation, contrasting it with the perceived soullessness of AI-generated content.
Kretz’s discourse extended beyond the sonic realm, touching upon the broader implications of AI in visual arts and its potential ramifications for industries like filmmaking. While acknowledging the utility of AI in certain applications, his critique of its intrusion into music creation was unequivocal, highlighting a fundamental disconnect between algorithmic output and genuine human expression.
AI’s Double-Edged Sword: Visual Artistry Versus Musical Authenticity
The conversation began with Kretz’s assessment of AI’s impact on art in general. He observed that visually, AI has made significant strides, noting its potential to empower creators and democratize visual content creation. "In art, visually it really stands out because you can… unfortunately, for graphic designers and stuff, it kind of puts them out," Kretz stated, acknowledging the disruptive economic impact on certain professions. However, he quickly pivoted to the positive applications, suggesting, "But for artists who, now to make a video, so if you have a band, a new band, you can make a really fantastic video because you can keep throwing in inputs to change the visuals and the ideas and ‘accentuate this’." This perspective highlights AI’s capacity to serve as a powerful tool for independent artists and burgeoning bands seeking to create professional-grade visual content without substantial budgets.
The stark contrast emerged when Kretz turned his attention to music. His aversion to AI in this domain was immediate and emphatic. "Of course, I hate it for music because it’s just… It’s just not real," he declared. Kretz elaborated on what he perceives as an inherent deficiency in AI-generated music, pointing to the absence of what he terms "a little glitch of imperfection." He reminisced about the organic nuances that define human-made music, citing examples like "a little glitch of imperfection, a little glitch of a guitar being slightly out of tune in a certain chord." These subtle imperfections, he argued, are integral to the authenticity and emotional resonance of music.
Kretz further elaborated on the significance of these sonic imperfections, illustrating how they can contribute to the character and memorability of a song. He described a scenario where listeners might discover and appreciate the intricate details within a recording, such as a bassline being slightly out of tune with a guitar during a particular passage. "Like everything that we grew up with that you don’t necessarily hear, but when you dig into the weeds on these songs, you’re, like, ‘Oh my God, listen to the bass. The bass is out of tune with the guitar in this song.’ And then you get everyone around listening, like, ‘Hear that note.’ Like, ‘Oh, yeah.’" This deep appreciation for the human touch, the tangible evidence of performance and production choices, is something Kretz believes AI currently fails to replicate. "And right now you don’t hear that with A.I., but they’ll probably figure that out at some point and figure out how to really copy bands from the ’70s," he added, expressing a grim foresight about the potential for AI to meticulously mimic even the most subtle characteristics of past musical eras.
The Creative Process Under Threat: AI as a "Disgusting" Aid
Kretz’s concerns extend to the very essence of the creative process, viewing AI as a detrimental force rather than a collaborative partner in songwriting. "Yeah, it’s tough. It’s horrible for the creative process, but it aids in so many other areas — in the medicine world," he conceded, acknowledging AI’s broader utility. This recognition of AI’s positive contributions in fields like medicine underscores that his opposition is not a blanket rejection of the technology, but a targeted critique of its application in art.
His apprehension stems from the speed and efficiency with which AI can generate content, potentially circumventing the laborious yet rewarding journey of human creativity. "And it’s so new with us because it’s so much smarter and quicker than hiring teams of people to do stuff," Kretz observed. This efficiency, while appealing from a production standpoint, undermines the intrinsic value of the human creative endeavor. "Yeah, I don’t know. It’s still so new. We’re trying to figure it out. And I hate it as far as an aid for songwriting. I mean, that’s just disgusting," he concluded, leaving no room for ambiguity regarding his strong disapproval of AI’s role in music composition.
The sentiment expressed by Kretz reflects a growing anxiety within the artistic community. The traditional creative process, often characterized by inspiration, experimentation, collaboration, and the overcoming of challenges, is seen by many as a deeply human and enriching experience. The prospect of AI automating or significantly influencing this process raises questions about the future of artistic originality, the definition of authorship, and the economic viability of human artists. The "disgusting" nature Kretz refers to likely stems from the idea that the emotional depth, personal narrative, and unique life experiences that fuel genuine songwriting are inherently absent in an AI-generated output, regardless of its technical proficiency.
The Looming Shadow of AI in Cinema and the Human Connection
Kretz’s foresight extended to the realm of cinema, where he predicted AI would soon exert a profound influence. He highlighted the accelerating pace of AI-driven film production, stating, "What’s gonna happen with movies coming up? ‘Cause now they can make movies within a couple of months with A.I." This rapid development has already drawn the attention of industry bodies, as evidenced by the ongoing negotiations within Hollywood. "And I know the Hollywood film actors guild [Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists], they’re really fighting how to control A.I.," he noted, referencing the critical labor disputes surrounding AI’s integration into filmmaking.
The potential for AI-generated characters and narratives to resonate with audiences presents a particularly unsettling prospect for Kretz. He envisioned a future where audiences develop emotional attachments to characters that are entirely artificial. "But you’re gonna see A.I. movies with characters, and when people start falling in love with those characters that are completely A.I. generated, that’s when it’s gonna be weird, because then people aren’t gonna know how to disassociate themselves with what A.I. can do." This concern touches upon the very nature of human empathy and connection, questioning whether audiences can truly connect with simulated emotions.
Kretz elaborated on the ethical quandary, pointing out the inherent difference between AI’s capacity to simulate emotion and its lack of genuine lived experience. "And like you said, A.I. doesn’t have heartbreak, but it might be able to portray heartbreak to where people believe it. And that’s when you go, ‘Oh, this is fucked up,’ ’cause it’s not what we’re about as humans, but it’s gonna go in that direction just because of the money. It’s so much cheaper to make movies like that." This statement underscores a critical concern: the drive for profit could supersede artistic integrity and authentic human representation, leading to a devaluation of genuine human experience in media. The economic incentives for studios to utilize cheaper, AI-driven production methods could significantly reshape the landscape of film and television, potentially marginalizing human actors, writers, and directors.
Stone Temple Pilots: A Legacy Rooted in Human Collaboration
The context of Kretz’s commentary is deeply intertwined with the history and enduring legacy of Stone Temple Pilots. The band, currently comprising original members Robert DeLeo (bass), Dean DeLeo (guitar), and Kretz (drums), has navigated significant transitions throughout its career. Their journey includes the tumultuous periods surrounding the original vocalist Scott Weiland and the subsequent impactful tenure of Chester Bennington.
Scott Weiland, a pivotal figure in the band’s early success, rejoined STP in 2010 after an eight-year hiatus but was dismissed in 2013. His untimely death in December 2015 from a drug overdose marked a tragic chapter for the band and the music world. Following Weiland’s departure, Chester Bennington of Linkin Park briefly joined STP in early 2013, contributing to their creative output before departing nearly three years later to focus on his primary band. Bennington’s subsequent suicide in July 2017 sent further shockwaves through the music community.
The band found a new vocal collaborator in Jeff Gutt, a Michigan native with a history in bands like Dry Cell and a stint on "The X Factor." Gutt joined Stone Temple Pilots after a lengthy search, solidifying the current lineup. His debut with the band was on their self-titled seventh album, released in March 2018, followed by their first all-acoustic album, "Perdida," in February 2020. This recent work, particularly "Perdida," showcases the band’s continued commitment to exploring diverse sonic territories, often emphasizing organic instrumentation and vocal performance—elements that stand in stark contrast to the AI-generated content Kretz critiques.
The band’s ongoing career, marked by resilience and adaptation, underscores the value they place on human collaboration and artistic evolution. Kretz’s reflections on AI are therefore not merely abstract musings but are grounded in decades of experience as a musician who has witnessed firsthand the power of human connection and shared creative vision. The very foundation of Stone Temple Pilots, built on the interplay of individual talents and collective inspiration, serves as a powerful counterpoint to the notion of artificial creation. Their music, imbued with the raw emotion, personal struggles, and triumphs of its human creators, represents the antithesis of what Kretz fears AI might render obsolete: authentic, imperfect, and deeply human artistry.
The implications of Kretz’s concerns are far-reaching. As AI technology continues to advance at an unprecedented pace, the dialogue surrounding its ethical integration into creative industries will only intensify. The debate touches upon fundamental questions about the nature of art, the definition of creativity, and the future role of human artists in a rapidly automating world. Kretz’s voice, from a respected figure in rock music, adds a critical human perspective to this ongoing conversation, urging a cautious and mindful approach to the adoption of technologies that could fundamentally alter our relationship with art and expression. The economic pressures driving AI adoption are undeniable, but as Kretz suggests, the potential erosion of authentic human connection and artistic integrity in the pursuit of efficiency and profit warrants serious consideration and proactive measures from artists, industry leaders, and audiences alike.
