The debate over artificial intelligence in music continues to intensify, with artists across genres weighing in on whether technology enhances creativity—or threatens to erase it. Now, Billy Corgan has made his position unmistakably clear: he wants nothing to do with it.
In a recent appearance on the And The Writer Is… podcast, the Smashing Pumpkins frontman didn’t hold back. “I refuse, refuse, patently refuse to use AI in my music creation,” Corgan declared. “Because, to me, it’s a deal with the devil. Simple.”
For Corgan, the issue goes beyond technology—it cuts to the very heart of what it means to create. Drawing on mythological imagery, he compared AI to forbidden power. “Whether it’s the Promethean fire myth or whatever, to me, you’re literally leaning into the thing that will destroy you. Period,” he said.
At the core of his argument is the belief that struggle is essential to artistry. The uncertainty, the self-doubt, the fear of having nothing left to say—these are not obstacles to avoid, but necessary elements of the creative process. “The pressure, the inspiration, the soul searching… that’s all part of the journey that a songwriter needs to go to,” he explained.
Corgan also emphasized the irreplaceable value of human collaboration. Writing with another musician, he argued, brings emotional depth and authenticity that no algorithm can replicate. “That’s a real person with real feelings and real blood coursing through their veins,” he said, even noting that disagreements over songwriting credits can be a sign of something meaningful. “If we’re arguing, it means there’s something of value that we’re arguing over.”
In contrast, he views AI-generated collaboration as hollow and endless—an interaction without stakes, boundaries, or genuine connection. “If my new buddy… is some app… that’s never gonna end,” he remarked.
Corgan’s stance ultimately circles back to a simple but powerful idea: doubt and discovery are where creativity lives. “It’s good that a songwriter has to think of a new chord that they haven’t thought of,” he said. “That’s where the magic comes from.”
Until AI can prove it can replicate that kind of human experience—and perhaps even if it does—Corgan isn’t budging. “I’m sticking with the game I’m in,” he concluded.
As AI tools continue to evolve and reshape the music industry, voices like Corgan’s highlight a deeper question: is creativity something that can be engineered, or is it something that must be lived?