Final Fantasy Composer Nobuo Uematsu Rejects Generative AI, Emphasizes Human Touch in Game Music

Legendary composer Nobuo Uematsu—renowned for crafting the unforgettable soundtracks of the Final Fantasy series by Square Enix—has reaffirmed his commitment to human creativity amid growing debate over generative AI in music-making.

Uematsu's influence on the gaming industry stretches across decades, with his compositions gracing critical and commercial triumphs on platforms like the Nintendo Switch and beyond.

Now in the later stages of his celebrated career, his insight into creativity and technology continues to resonate. In a recent interview with JASRAC Magazine, highlighted by Automaton Media, Uematsu made his stance on generative AI abundantly clear.

He stated, "I've never used AI, and it's unlikely that I ever will.

There is a deeper sense of fulfillment in overcoming the challenges of creating something yourself." Uematsu emphasized that the personal narratives and backgrounds of composers imbue their work with a depth that AI cannot reproduce.

"When you experience music, part of the pleasure is uncovering the story behind the creator.

AI simply lacks this context.

Even with live performances, the unique imperfections and nuances each artist brings are what make music truly compelling." This perspective arrives as the creative industries encounter increasing pressure from tech leaders like OpenAI, Google, and Meta, who are championing generative AI as a tool for producing content—including imagery, video, and audio.

Critics, however, argue that such technology is often built upon datasets of human-made works that have not always been licensed, raising concerns about copyright, originality, and fair competition for creators. Supporters of the traditional approach—Uematsu included—maintain that entering a prompt into AI software can never equate to the rich, emotionally driven process of composing music by hand.

The nuances, influences, and real-time emotions of human creators cannot be authentically replicated by algorithms. Although Uematsu has stepped back from full-time game music composition, he remains actively engaged with his craft, focusing on a new album and a schedule filled with live performances.

He shared, "This might be my busiest period yet.

If I'm not working daily, I feel as though I might not wake up the next day.

For those who've known hardship in making a living, that drive never truly fades." As the video game industry and its associated creative fields continue to evolve with the advancement of technology, voices like Nobuo Uematsu's reinforce the enduring value of human artistry.

For developers, musicians, and fans on platforms such as the Nintendo Switch and the broader gaming landscape, his perspective underscores the essence of what makes video game music a unique and irreplaceable art form.

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