Thomas Bangalter told CHANEL's Yana Peel at Art Basel that he has no interest in using artificial intelligence for creative work. His comments arrive as musicians and producers continue testing generative tools, forcing working artists to decide where algorithmic assistance ends and original composition begins.
The prompt problem
Bangalter said his creative process operates outside verbal language. He explained that most AI systems require typed instructions, which clashes with how he builds music. "My relationship to creation and my relationship to art is mostly happening at a deeper level, which does not express itself through words," Bangalter said.
Typing commands forces an intellectual exercise that bypasses the intuitive phase of making art. "The main one probably is because it goes through a verbal expression which is prompting," he said. "I feel really the most interesting part of the creative process is happening not at all on an intellectual level or on an expressive level, where you're actually going through a process which is about understanding your feelings."
Physical space and human connection
The discussion shifted to architecture and performance design. Bangalter called architecture the most creative art form because it blurs the line between fiction and reality. Producer Skrillex recently made a comparable point about AI music, arguing that tracks lack emotional weight without a human creator behind them. Bangalter also outlined his immersive finale project, Warehouse Artefacts, alongside collaborators Julien Charrière and Rampa.
Industry guides now map out how these models fit into specific disciplines, including frameworks for AI for Creatives who want to test automation features without compromising their workflow.
Why this matters for Creatives
Generative software will keep expanding across production pipelines, but many artists still draw hard lines around emotional decision-making. Professionals should audit their own workflows to separate administrative automation from core creative choices. Using AI for file organization or rough demos rarely requires the same vulnerability as writing a melody or designing a stage layout. Creators can explore structured training like the curriculum for AI for Vocal Artists & Songwriters to understand tool limitations before integrating them into sensitive stages of development.
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