Final Fantasy Composer Nobuo Uematsu Takes a Stand Against AI in Music Creation

Final Fantasy composer takes stance against generative AI: "I've never used AI and probably never will"

Final Fantasy composer Nobuo Uematsu has taken a stance against the use of generative AI for music, stating he hasn't used it "and probably never will". The technology has been increasingly used in game development - even by Square Enix itself - but has received plenty of criticism. Now, in an interview with JASRAC Magazine about his career (thanks Automaton), Uematsu has discussed his thoughts on AI, stating it "feels more rewarding to go through the hardships of creating something myself". When asked about advancements in game music, Uematsu suggested composers could work on smoothly transitioning between different pieces. "Perhaps AI will be able to handle something like that well in the future," he said. He was then asked further about his thoughts on AI. "I've never used AI and probably never will," said Uematsu. "I think it still feels more rewarding to go through the hardships of creating something myself. When you listen to music, the fun is also in discovering the background of the person who created it, right? AI does not have that kind of background though. "Even when it comes to live performances, music produced by people is unstable, and everyone does it in their own unique way. And what makes it sound so satisfying are precisely those fluctuations and imperfections." Last year, Square Enix CEO Takashi Kiryu stated the company will be "aggressive in applying AI" and other "cutting-edge technologies", with Foamstars producer Kosuke Okatani admitting the development team "dabbled" with using AI. Indeed, according to a report from Japan's Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association (CESA), which organises the Tokyo Games Show, over half of Japanese game companies are using AI in development. Uematsu has certainly become more vocal in recent years during interviews, stating in a 2024 interview that game music has become too similar to film and "cannot develop further" if continuing in this direction. And despite rumours last year, he won't be retiring from video game music work. He's already confirmed he'll be returning to the Final Fantasy 7 Remake series for a new theme song for the final part of the trilogy.

'I've never used AI and probably never will': Final Fantasy composer Nobuo Uematsu reckons 'fluctuations and imperfections' are what make music satisfying

Uematsu, who worked on the soundtracks for Final Fantasy XIV and Chrono Trigger, isn't tempted by generative AI. Celebrated Final Fantasy composer Nobuo Uematsu did not mince words when asked about his stance on using generative AI to make music in a recent interview with JASRAC Magazine. The technology's experimental use in the arts has already seen the advent of AI "musicians" like The Velvet Sundown, and you might wonder whether a veteran like Uematsu would be allured or even threatened by the ability to spin melodies so quickly with generative AI tools. As reported by Automaton, Uematsu told JASRAC he "never used AI and probably never will ... music produced by people is unstable, and everyone does it in their own unique way. And what makes it sound so satisfying are precisely those fluctuations and imperfections." Uematsu has shared concerns about the changing face of videogame music before. Last year, he said there's a worrisome wave of game directors content with "Hollywood-style" music, adding even then that AI tools would prevent composers from "reaching deep down inside yourself to find aspects unique to you and then expressing them." More recently, he lamented a perceived stagnation in game music, with too many composers aping John Williams. Uematsu seems to want a weirder, wilder median for videogame music. Definitionally, genAI can't produce anything that isn't a reflection of the data it trained on, and compelling imperfections are what human artists do best. Uematsu told JASRAC that the problems he perceived in the industry aren't a technological shortcoming, just a creative one. "I feel like it already reached its 'final form' when musicians became able to use their studio recordings in games. Another advancement was binaural audio, and we've already made it a reality in Final Fantasy X. However, it is a question of how much players are going to demand it in the future," he said in the interview. He conceded that AI tools may help composers with certain aspects of creation, like "how smoothly they can switch between certain sounds," but also told JASRAC, "I think it still feels more rewarding to go through the hardships of creating something myself. When you listen to music, the fun is also in discovering the background of the person who created it, right? AI does not have that kind of background."

Legendary Final Fantasy composer Nobuo Uematsu has "never used AI and probably never will" because it's "more rewarding to go through the hardships of creating something myself"

Human "imperfections" are what make music "sound so satisfying" As the rise of generative AI sparks understandable concern amid both the gaming community and developers, various industry icons are making their stance on the matter clear - including Final Fantasy composer Nobuo Uematsu, who sees no place for the technology in music. Speaking in a new interview with JASRAC Magazine (as translated by Automaton), Uematsu shares his thoughts on advancing technology in game development. "There's been a surge of graphical advancements in games in recent years," admits the composer. "But in terms of game music, I feel like it already reached its 'final form' when musicians became able to use their studio recordings in games." He then discusses specific advancements, including binaural audio, which Square Enix has already applied to titles like Final Fantasy 10. "However, it is a question of how much players are going to demand it in the future," he explains. As for other potential progress within the industry, Uematsu suggests musicians might improve how smoothly they swap from sound to sound - and "perhaps AI will be able to handle something like that well in the future." The composer then sheds light on his own opinion regarding the use of generative AI while producing music - something he hasn't done himself, and likely won't ever. "I've never used AI and probably never will. I think it still feels more rewarding to go through the hardships of creating something myself. When you listen to music, the fun is also in discovering the background of the person who created it, right?" That's an experience you just can't get with generative AI, as Uematsu states. "AI does not have that kind of background, though. Even when it comes to live performances, music produced by people is unstable, and everyone does it in their own unique way." He concludes that, "what makes it sound so satisfying are precisely those fluctuations and imperfections" - and you might not be able to achieve those without the human touch, so to speak. Although I'm not a musician myself, I am a writer, and I have to agree with Uematsu here. There's just something about the creative process that generative AI simply can't seem to nail, whether in game development, music production, writing, or you name it.

Final Fantasy composer Nobuo Uematsu refuses to use AI

The legendary composer does not approve of AI. Nobuo Uematsu, the man responsible for much of the music in some of the most beloved games of our time, told as much in an interview with the Japanese magazine JASRAC. Even though he's older now, the passion still burns strongly within and Uematsu explained that he much rather do things the old way, rather than just create music with the push of a button. Speaking to JASRAC he said: "I've never used AI and probably never will" The composer then went on to explain that he feels strongly that a soul is needed for true creativity. And that listening to music also means discovering the person behind the songs. He also remarks that the mistakes and flaws that appear in human made compositions is part of what gives it a personality. "I think it still feels more rewarding to go through the hardships of creating something myself. When you listen to music, the fun is also in discovering the background of the person who created it, right? AI does not have that kind of background though. Even when it comes to live performances, music produced by people is unstable, and everyone does it in their own unique way. And what makes it sound so satisfying are precisely those fluctuations and imperfections." Does Uematsu have a point? Does true creativity require a soul?