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Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly advancing, creating content that is not only impressive but also raising complex questions about culture and authenticity. A recent AI-generated cover of a beloved Russian song, performed in the voice of American artist Kanye West, has gone viral, sparking widespread discussion and highlighting a growing trend of AI-driven cultural production.

AI's 'New Life' for a Classic Hit

The AI cover features the 90s hit "Sedaya noch" (Grey Night) by the late Russian singer Yuri Shatunov, reimagined with Kanye West's distinctive voice. This digital creation, shared by user @augustseptemberov, quickly gained traction across social media platforms in Russia and CIS countries. The same user previously released an AI cover of "Prekrasnoe daleko" (Beautiful Far Away) in the voice of Billie Eilish. Notably, these creations were made without explicit permission from the original artists or copyright holders, prompting discussions that frame these as more than mere technological experiments, but as indicators of a shift within the cultural landscape.

Hype vs. Authenticity

The phenomenon has also revealed a concerning trend in media consumption. Some Russian media outlets and Telegram channels have reportedly shared these AI-generated videos as genuine news. For a significant portion of the audience, the distinction between a live artist and a synthesized voice appears to be less important than the perceived novelty. Many listeners expressed delight at Kanye West's 'performance' of Shatunov's song, even tagging his official social media accounts and treating the AI cover as an authentic release. This suggests a potential decline in the public's demand for verifiable information and a growing acceptance of synthetic media.

The Rise of Virtual Stars

As AI technology develops in Russia, there's a noticeable increase in the creation of virtual singers, models, and bloggers. For instance, the entire persona of 'singer' Sienna Rose was revealed to be a product of neural networks, with her music also being artificially generated from elements of other works. Research by DW journalists identified Håffstein Runnerson and Maxim Muravyev, based in Oslo, as the individuals behind this project. Muravyev's VK account, using the handle 'soviet_agent,' hints at his Russian connections.

Another example is the Russian project 'virtual Snegurochka' (Snow Maiden). This character, created by Alexandra Komovich, gained popularity with a remix of the song "Rasskazhi, Snegurochka, gde byla?" (Tell me, Snow Maiden, where have you been?). However, the song was eventually blocked due to a demand from the rights holder. Additionally, Aliona Pole, a model and blogger created in 2018, was also later identified as an AI-generated persona.

Spiritual Poverty and Simulation

These developments raise concerns that technology, instead of serving humanity, is becoming a tool to create illusions and fill perceived voids. Rather than fostering original culture, the act of appropriating and enjoying foreign images can be seen as a sign of spiritual impoverishment. A society that embraces simulation may find itself unable to recognize its own identity when confronted with reality.

This is reported by the news agency Infohub.kz.