The Evolution of AI and Creativity: Yuval Noah Harari × Hikaru Utada
//Summary - Level-B2//
In this conversation, Yuval Noah Harari and Hikaru Utada discuss how AI is changing creativity, especially in music. Utada believes that people will always value human-made art because it stems from genuine emotions and struggles. Harari says AI can already create new music, stories, and even emotional responses better than humans. They wonder if AI can truly feel or mimic feelings. Utada compares creating music to fishing—waiting for ideas to come. They both agree that even if AI improves, human connection, live experiences, and curiosity will always be meaningful in the creative world.
//Notes//
At the Freud Museum in London, Prof. Yuval Noah Harari and Hikaru Utada sat down for a special NewsPicks conversation on “The Evolution of AI and Creativity.” They explored how rapid advancements in AI are reshaping creativity, human emotion, and, specifically, music.
Utada, a devoted reader of Prof. Harari’s works, discussed what it means to be an artist in the era of AI.
Prof. Harari reflected on how people worldwide are starting to feel emotional connections with AI.
Together, they pondered how humanity would evolve and what role music would play in a future increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.
＜Guests＞
Yuval Noah Harari
Prof. Yuval Noah Harari is a historian, philosopher, and bestselling author, considered one of the world’s most influential public intellectuals today. His books have sold over 50 million copies in 65 languages.
Hikaru Utada
A Japanese singer-songwriter and producer, Hikaru Utada, debuted with the single ‘Automatic/time will tell’ on December 9, 1998. Their first album, ‘First Love’, remains the best-selling Japanese album of all time. In 2024, they released their first greatest hits album ‘SCIENCE FICTION’ to commemorate their 25th anniversary of their debut, followed by their first tour in six years ―the nationwide HIKARU UTADA SCIENCE FICTION TOUR 2024. In 2025, continuing a dynamic run of creative output, Utada’s latest digital single “Mine or Yours” has captured attention as the theme for the Ayataka green tea commercial, marking the second consecutive year of Utada’s collaboration with the brand. “Electricity Remixes”, a limited-edition vinyl released on July 9, featuring three remixes by internationally recognised artists Karen Nyame KG, Arca, and Salute, has already generated excitement among music fans in Japan and around the world, following the earlier digital releases.
1. Opening Thoughts and Personal Connection
Utada begins the conversation by expressing excitement about meeting Harari, especially in the Freud Museum. She shares a personal story:
“When I was pregnant 10 years ago, a friend gave me your book Sapiens with a note saying, ‘Since you’re growing a new sapiens, I’d like to gift you this.’”
This moment made her feel a “full circle” connection to Harari.
2. The Role of Music and Creativity in Humans
Utada believes music is a natural part of being human:
“Even babies babble and move before they can walk. We’re naturally art-making people.”
She sees creativity as problem-solving and pattern-breaking, saying:
“I like to throw in parts that betray the listener—unexpected or weird. That’s the fun part.”
3. Can AI Be Creative?
Harari questions whether AI might one day write better books than humans:
“By the 2030s, AI may write books like Sapiens better than I can.”
He explains creativity as:
“Recognising patterns and breaking them.”
Utada understands this logically but feels emotionally resistant:
“Something deep inside me says there’s no way humans won’t want human-made things.”
4. Human vs. AI: Purpose and Process
Utada explains her artistic purpose:
“I don’t know the result until I get there. The song is just a byproduct. The real value is what happened while I was making it.”
She compares her process to fishing:
“I feel like a fisherman waiting patiently for the right line to come, even while I cook or watch TV.”
Harari adds:
“We may be controlled more by the stomach—our gut feelings—than by the brain.”
5. Music, Emotions, and Human Connection
They explore the idea that AI might be able to play human emotions like a piano:
“AI may learn how to produce joy or sadness better than human artists by analysing massive data.”
But Utada highlights the value of real struggle and storytelling:
“People love stories. We want the human behind the creation.”
She compares fast food to AI-made music—convenient but lacking emotional depth. In contrast, live music creates a shared experience:
“In live shows, music can synchronise people’s brain waves.”
6. The Future of Music: Discovery and Expansion
Harari wonders:
“What if AI discovers entirely new kinds of music that human minds couldn’t imagine—like new continents of sound?”
Utada replies:
“I think it could open up places inside us we’ve never visited.”
She also discusses how music may have predated language:
“Neurological circuits for music seem to have come before those for language.”
7. Religion, AI, and the Power of Music
They discuss how religious texts might change:
“AI could become the world’s greatest religious scholar, making texts like the Bible talk back.”
Utada reflects on music in religion:
“Before written language, we sang or chanted religious texts. Metallic instruments like bells felt magical—symbols of power.”
8. Lying in Music and the Importance of Silence
Utada says fake music exists if it doesn’t come from honesty:
“If I skip the process or make something I don’t believe in, that’s fake.”
She explains music is like architecture:
“What you leave out is more important than what you put in.”
9. Consciousness and AI Relationships
Harari says:
“AI doesn’t have consciousness—it can pursue goals but can’t feel joy, love, or pain.”
However, people are forming emotional bonds with AI companions:
“Some believe their AI boyfriend has real feelings. But it might be the biggest delusion in human history.”
Utada asks:
“How do we know if someone—or even I—am truly conscious?”
10. Closing Reflections
They agree that curiosity is essential:
“We can’t press the brakes. We just have to enjoy the ride.”
“My tool is curiosity to override fear.”
Utada and Harari end the conversation hopeful and intrigued by the future, promising to talk again in ten years to see what has changed.
The Evolution of AI and Creativity: Yuval Noah Harari × Hikaru Utada
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xw-9mwZxl-0
