AI-Enhanced Beatles Song “Now and Then” Wins Grammy
A brilliant fusion of technology and music earned The Beatles their eighth Grammy Award with “Now and Then,” which AI helped complete. The song won Best Rock Performance at the 2024 Grammy Awards, defeating bands like Green Day and Pearl Jam.
Reviving a Lost Demo
John Lennon first recorded the song in the late 1970s but left it unfinished due to technical constraints at the time. In 2021, Peter Jackson‘s team used machine-learning algorithms. This was to isolate and enhance Lennon’s original vocals and piano from the lo-fi demo. And this breakthrough enabled McCartney and Starr to complete the song, seamlessly blending the old with the new.
Clarifying AI’s Role
McCartney clarified misconceptions about AI’s role in producing “Now and Then”, insisting that the music contained no artificial elements. “It’s all real, and we all play on it,” he stated, emphasizing that AI only cleaned up the existing tracks, a technique that has been used for years.
A Historic Achievement
“Now and Then” became the first AI-assisted song to be nominated for and win a Grammy. Thereby, highlighting the growing relationship between technology and the arts. This landmark moment will spark conversations about the future of music production and the ethical concerns surrounding AI in the creative process.

Furthermore, “Now and Then” results demonstrate how the use of AI can preserve and reverence artistic legacies. While also offering pathways of new creative movements. The thoughtful marriage of technology with art appears to benefit our cultural heritage.
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