According to Billboard’s "Country Digital Song Sales" chart, the No. 1 song in the U.S. is "Walk My Walk" by Breaking Rust—an artist that was created by artificial intelligence (AI).
Newsweek has contacted Breaking Rust via social media message outside of regular working hours for comment.
Why It Matters
This is a new development in the music industry as it is the first time an AI-created song has reached the top of the charts.
There have long been concerns about the use of generative AI in creative sectors. Discourse about this came into the fold a few years ago following protests in Hollywood from the writer and actor guilds, which took place shortly after the public release of ChatGPT, and concerns that came in tandem with the new technology and its implications.
Any creative materials that have been made with the usage or assistance of AI are heavily scrutinized, be it the debut of the so-called AI actress Tilly Norwood or internet furor over Coca-Cola using AI in their Christmas adverts.
High-profile musicians, including Sir Elton John and Dua Lipa, are among those leading the charge for AI regulations as multiple petitions have been launched to ban the usage of AI in certain areas.
