Mike Dean is the latest member of the music community to speak out against Timbaland's staunch promotion of artificial intelligence in music.
On Wednesday (November 26), Timbo took to Instagram to post a lengthy explanation about AI usage and regulation in music. Dean hopped into the post's comments section to address the legendary producer's love for AI.
"I wonder how much money that company gave you to say all this," Dean wrote, before addressing the training of AI models in another comment. "There are companies out there that have algorithms that will find out what stuff was trained from and Sue whoever doesn't have ethically trained models pretty simple it’s happening soon — oh," Dean wrote.
Timbaland responded with a short message that revealed his lack of concern regarding the situation. "Come on man," he wrote.
Timbaland has been all about AI art and music since June, which is when he launched his first AI-generated artist, Tata.
"I know I’m trolling but let’s have real conversation," Timbaland wrote in his post. "I love my independent artists. This doesn’t mean I’m not working with real artists anymore."
The Grammy-wining producer then clarified that the AI artist had learned from real musicians' work. "And nah I don’t train ai off y’all music," he explained. "This just means more creativity for creators."
Many musicians, especially producers, have called out Timbaland for his involvement and support with AI. In a comment posted on Instagram, Young Guru urged Timbaland to step away from it.
"I’m going to say it again," Guru wrote. "I swear I love you bro but this ain’t it. Do you not realize what is going on in the world?"
"Your voice is powerful and way too important to do anything like this," Guru continued. "I have students who worship you. They are going to say 'if Tim can do it, then it is ok for me to do it.' These are the times, right here, that history is defined .. Human expression can never be reduced to this!!! This is way bigger than music!!! I say this all in love."
Last month, Timbaland released a music video for Tata’s song, "Glitch x Pluse." In the video, Timbo appears beside his artificially made artist, and she also danced with the Jabbawockeez.