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How artificial intelligence will affect our lives going forward is a question being figured out across pretty much all industries right now. 

While many in the arts have expressed concerns over how algorithms learn from their work, Black Eyes Peas star will.i.am believes it actually should “inspire you to create”.

An early artificial intelligence supporter, he says: “If you’re basing what you’re going to do tomorrow off yesterday, you’re not growing.”

The music producer spoke to Sky News after giving a demo of his new AI radio app in London.

Rather than artificial intelligence being something with negative connotations, he insists its potential should “inspire better, broader, deeper, faster…[it] shouldn’t stop you from being human”.

Will.i.Am
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The Black Eyed Peas star told Sky News AI should ‘inspire you to create’

As one of the most prominent voices to position himself in the pro-AI camp, his enthusiasm is certainly infectious.

Those who turned out to see the demonstration of his app-based platform RAiDiO.FYI got to see the musician and tech entrepreneur challenge one of his AI personas to make a joke comparing computer chips and guacamole chips with reasonably funny results.

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He hopes listeners will come to interact and talk with AI presenters in the not-too-distant future.

But is it a gimmick or a taste of the future?

Sky News put it to will that some of his musical counterparts worry AI – with its instant ability for anyone to make a song in his style – waters down the music industry.

“I don’t think anything can water down our industry any more than TikTok has,” he responded.

“We used to listen to three-minute songs, now we’re down to nine seconds….TikTok and that algorithm, you know, changes what record companies are looking for, changes the architecture of the song… it’s watered down…we an ocean (sic).”

Sean Paul on embracing AI

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Sean Paul explains how he uses AI

But Jamaican dancehall musician Sean Paul isn’t entirely won over by AI’s potential.

“It’s a pandora’s box,” the rapper said, speaking to Sky News, “when you open it, it’s going to change all the parameters. It’s down to you to get used to the game.”

“I am apprehensive about certain parts of [it] in terms of making people lazy to writing”, the 52-year-old, who has worked with countless stars over his 20-year career, said.

“It can become a toy and make music more dispensable.”

Sean Paul. Pic: AP Photo/Matt Sayles
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Sean Paul. Pic: AP Photo/Matt Sayles

He said he recognises there are copyright and ethical considerations with using AI in the music-making process – especially where algorithms are concerned and they may mimic popular sounds.

He said: “If it does happen that AI takes my stuff and I’m never compensated because of it (…) I will fight that.

“It’s gonna happen. Already though, I feel me, the artist, the creator, I’ve got the short end of the stick for a long time. Even before the days of streaming – we get 0.0 something of the product – and it’s we that created it.”

AI as a ‘tool’

However, he also acknowledged that “times have changed” – and that adapting is key to surviving the ever-changing music industry.

Paul says none of his published music has been touched by AI – but he is open to experimenting with it.

“I’ve used it for trying to finish riddim patterns that I have….I used it as a tool… as I think everybody should.”

Some big names in music, like Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Elton John, have openly called for a legal framework to be established to better protect artists, which will.i.am agrees is paramount “to not always lead with greed, especially with powerful systems” like AI.

“There needs to be some type of artificial intelligence constitution….I believe you should be licensed to put out AIs right now and you’re not.”

AI and copyright concerns

Over 1,000 artists, from Damon Albarn to Kate Bush, recently released a silent album to protest possible changes to UK copyright AI laws.

Dubbed ‘Is This What We Want?’, its aim was to highlight concern for how their work is potentially being used to develop and train the technology.

Read more:
Matthew Modine on ‘frightening’ growth of AI
Chinese universities start teaching DeepSeek AI courses
Felicity Jones talks about AI’s impact on cinema

While the likes of will.i.am and Sean Paul may be open to seeing where the technology takes them, Alastair Webber believes the government should be taking control rather than loosening the reins.

The co-founder of The Other Songs, an independent music company championing songwriters and artists, says: “We must protect copyright because it really is the economic bedrock of the creative industries that bring so much back.”

The son of composer Lord Lloyd Webber, he believes while it’s important that big figures within the industry like his father are vocal with their concerns, the stand they’re taking is actually for those with their careers ahead of them.

“We’re not talking about these big names like Andrew Lloyd Webber or Elton John, all these people that are getting the headlines supporting this, actually [this matters more] for the young people being born today.”

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Jewish comedian says shows cancelled as Gaza in the spotlight at Edinburgh Fringe

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Jewish comedian says shows cancelled as Gaza in the spotlight at Edinburgh Fringe

The Edinburgh Fringe, the world’s largest arts festival, is getting under way, and the conflict in Gaza seems to be feeding into what’s happening.

From shows cancelled to artists divided, it’s no joke.

Rachel Creeger has had a distressing start to her stand-up run.

Two weeks ago, out of the blue, she says the venue Whistle Binkies rang her and fellow Jewish comedian Philip Simon to cancel their slots.

rachel creeger
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Rachel Creeger says her Edinburgh shows have been cancelled by the venue

She told Sky News it’s come down to “what we bring to that venue by being ourselves”.

The pair were allegedly given three reasons for the cancellation.

One was linked to a “vigil for IDF soldiers” that she says the venue initially claimed had been held during her performance last year but, according to Creeger, later had to ad­mit hadn’t taken place.

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“That never happened,” she insists.

Rachel says she was told her previous performances there had resulted in the venue having to pay for graffiti to be removed from toilet doors every three days.

“Again, we didn’t see evidence of that at all,” she says.

“We’re not the ones writing it… but if it was bothering them and they worried it was bothering us, then maybe we’d have volunteered to help them – or to help clean it.”

She claims she was also told the venue was responding to staff concerns about their own safety should Creeger’s show go ahead.

“It’s a pub in Edinburgh, it’s a music venue, they themselves have bouncers most evenings… And perhaps they might say if there’s a concern about extra risk, we should do all we can to make our performers safe.”

‘More unites us than divides us’

Creeger says her show is in no way political.

“It’s based around the idea that a Jewish mother can answer any question, solve any problem… I will make it better for you, the audience gets to write a question and put it into a chicken soup pot… The reason I kind of love it is because by the end of it people leave feeling actually more unites us than divides us.

“We’re not the people making the trouble,” she adds.

“I’ve certainly never started a protest, I’ve never done graffiti, I’ve never caused harm anywhere; my show doesn’t do that, my show is lovely.”

As Britain’s only touring comedian who is also a practising Orthodox Jew, she says since the 7 October attack she and other Jewish comedians are experiencing a significant increase in antisemitism while performing.

“We’re not Israeli, we’re British Jews,” says Creeger.

“The situation there is horrendous and distressing and painful for people of any number of religions and races… To be kind of scapegoated with dog whistles around that is clearly very, very unpleasant.”

The Fringe Society has said its role is to provide support and advice to all participants at the festival “with a vision to give anyone a stage and everyone a seat”.

A spokesperson explained they don’t manage or programme venues and “we understand that the show cancellations have been a choice made by the venue”.

Whistle Binkies hasn’t responded to multiple requests for comment.

Police Scotland told Sky News it hasn’t “received any reports of concern” about Creeger’s show.

There are, of course, huge sensitivities when it comes to discussing what’s going on in the world right now.

American stand-up Zainab Johnson is making her Fringe debut this year.

While her show Toxically Optimistic is all about putting a positive spin on life’s challenges, she doesn’t shy away from tackling the serious stuff if it comes up.

Zainab Johnson
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Zainab Johnson says her show doesn’t shy away from tackling serious issues

‘Shows becoming serious is a part of life’

“If I’m doing a show and somebody wants to yell out Free Palestine, well let’s talk about it,” she tells Sky News.

“I am the comedian where, if the show has to become serious, it becomes serious. That’s a part of life, you know?”

Johnson adds: “I’m from the United States and they talk about free speech all the time, but then you find out free speech ain’t really free because the moment you say something that is contrary to what the majority feels or wants to be heard, then you can be penalised…

“But isn’t that the beauty of this festival? So many people just telling their story, whatever their story is.”

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The carpenter sleeping rough
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Comedian Andy Parsons has had a long-standing career in satire, appearing regularly on shows like BBC2’s Mock the Week.

While he has the likes of Elon Musk and Nigel Farage in his sights for his stand-up show, Please #@!$ Off to Mars, they’re not his only focus.

Andy Parsons says comedians 'should be able to talk about anything and find a way to get that to work, including Israel and Gaza'
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Andy Parsons says comedians ‘should be able to talk about anything’

He says stand-ups “should be able to talk about anything and find a way to get that to work, including Israel and Gaza”.

He explains jokingly: “I’ve got some stuff about Israel in the show and obviously it can work both ways. It can give you some publicity and obviously it can get you cancelled.”

Irish-Palestinian comedian Sami Abu Wardeh – a clown comic – is the only Palestinian doing a full run of a comedy show at this year’s Fringe. 

“My show is clowning, it’s storytelling, it’s even got a bit of stand-up and it’s heavily inspired by the comedian Dave Allen, who is one of my comedy heroes,” says Wardeh.

“It felt really important that I come and just exist in this space, as a Palestinian, and speak my words and have my voice heard. 

“I’ve used all of these skills to make a show that is about really what’s going on in this country and in the world at the moment.

sami abu wardeh
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Irish-Palestinian comedian Sami Abu Wardeh is the only Palestinian doing a full run at this year’s Fringe

“I think most people in this country are going to recognise that Britain is in a very dark place… and I’m hoping to reach those people and to give a voice to the dissatisfaction.”

‘Plans in place’ for disruption

He’s had to consider the possibility of protests and take steps to “make sure that the audience and myself are safe and secure”.

“We have plans in place to know how to deal with people who are disruptive,” he says. “And particularly anybody who wants to bring any kind of bigoted views into the room.”

As one of the very few Palestinians at the festival, Wardeh says it is “not only my duty” but “an honour to be here and to represent my people”.

He also feels it’s wrong that Rachel Creeger has had her venue cancelled.

“I sincerely support free speech and I think everyone should be able to get on the stage and say what they want, within reason obviously,” says Wardeh.

Rachel says she hopes to confirm a new venue for her show on social media in the coming days.

“We’ve thankfully had a number of venues approach us to say that they have space available, so I’m hopeful that I’ll get – if not a full – then at least part of the run for the show.”

Since arriving in Edinburgh she’s been overwhelmed by how many hugs of support she’s received.

“To have super high-profile comedians put their heads above the parapet to say ‘this is wrong’, it means so much…In a way the story is that someone’s done something very hurtful… But look at all the love, that’s amazing.”

Sami Abu Wardeh’s Palestine: Peace de Resistance is at the Pleasance Dome in Edinburgh until 24 August
Andy Parsons’ Please #@!$ Off to Mars is at Pleasance Courtyard’s Cabaret Bar until 10 August
Zainab Johnson: Toxically Optimistic is at Pleasance Courtyard until 24 August

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Flintoff praises NHS staff who treated him after crash, as doctor says his injuries were ‘among most complex’ he’s ever seen

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Flintoff praises NHS staff who treated him after crash, as doctor says his injuries were 'among most complex' he's ever seen

Andrew Flintoff has praised the “love and compassion” of “superhero” staff in a visit to the hospital that treated him after his crash.

The cricket legend was seriously injured during the incident on the Top Gear track in Surrey in December 2022.

He was airlifted to St George’s in Tooting, with a surgeon calling Flintoff’s injuries some of the most complex he’s seen.

“I just want to say a massive thank you to all the staff at St George’s,” Flintoff said, as he returned to the London hospital.

“I came here probably the lowest I’ve ever been, in need of help and the expertise, the love, the compassion they showed me was incredible.

“I’ll be eternally grateful – absolute superheroes.”

Flintoff with St George's Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon Jahrad Haq. Pic: PA
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Maxillofacial surgeon Jahrad Haq said Flintoff’s case was very complex. Pic: PA

Jahrad Haq, a maxillofacial surgeon, said he knew immediately the case was something out of the ordinary.

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“I was on call that day and received a phone call from the emergency department consultant,” said Mr Haq.

“A lot of injuries are managed at a more junior level before escalating, so I knew this one was serious.

“Of all the trauma cases I’ve seen in over 20 years, this was among the most complex.”

Flintoff with nurses Linda Holden (left) and Sonia Steer. Pic: PA
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The ex-cricketer with nurses Linda Holden (left) and Sonia Steer. Pic: PA

Flintoff was also pictured on his visit meeting lead dental nurse Linda Holden and principal orthodontic nurse Sonia Steer.

Shamim Umarji, who also treated the 47-year-old, said it was “wonderful to see Freddie again and his visit gave staff a real boost”.

“He spent a lot of time chatting to everyone and it meant a lot,” added the trauma and orthopaedic surgeon.

Read more from Sky News:
Dentist who poisoned wife’s protein shakes jailed for life
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Flintoff previously described how he thought he had died in the accident – which saw him “pulled face-down on the runway” for about 50m under a three-wheel car.

The incident led to the BBC pulling the plug on Top Gear and it remains unclear if it will ever return.

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Brian Cox: Trump talking ‘b*******s’ on Scottish independence

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Brian Cox: Trump talking 'b*******s' on Scottish independence

Hollywood actor Brian Cox has told Sky News that Donald Trump is talking “bollocks” after suggesting there should be 50 or 75 years between Scottish independence referendums.

The US president said a country “can’t go through that too much” when questioned by reporters during his visit to Scotland this week.

The Emmy-winning star, who is an independence supporter, has hit back, branding him “that idiot in America”.

The 79-year-old told Sky News: “He’s talking bollocks. I’m sorry, but he does. It’s rubbish. Let’s get on with it and let’s get it [independence] done. We can do it.

“It’s been tough as there’s a great deal of undermining that has gone on.”

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Trump responds to Sky question on Israel

SNP fraud probe causing ‘harm’

Mr Cox said the police fraud investigation examining the SNP’s finances has done “enormous harm” to the party and wider independence movement.

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Nicola Sturgeon was arrested as part of the long-running police probe but cleared of any wrongdoing earlier this year.

The former first minister’s estranged husband Peter Murrell, who was SNP chief executive for two decades, appeared in court in April to face a charge of alleged embezzlement. He has entered no plea.

Brian Cox is preparing to return to the Scottish stage for the first time in a decade in a play about the Royal Bank of Scotland’s role in the 2008 financial crash.

Ahead of the Edinburgh festival performances, the veteran actor told Sky News: “I think it’s a masterpiece. It’s certainly one of the best pieces of work I’ve been involved in.

Brian Cox
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Brian Cox speaking to Sky’s Connor Gillies

‘My friend Spacey should be forgiven’

The Succession star was also asked about his “old friend” Kevin Spacey.

The former House of Cards actor, 65, was exiled from the showbiz world in 2017 after allegations of sexual misconduct.

Spacey has admitted to “being too handsy” in the past and “touching someone sexually” when he didn’t know they “didn’t want him to”.

Spacey stood trial in the UK for multiple sexual offences against four men in July 2023 but was acquitted on all counts.

Kevin Spacey outside Southwark Crown Court
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Kevin Spacey

Mr Cox told Sky News: “I am so against cancel culture. Kevin has made a lot of mistakes, but there is a sort of viciousness about it which is unwarranted.

“Everybody is stupid as everybody else. Everybody is capable of the same mistakes and the same sins as everybody else.”

Asked if he could see a return to showbiz for Spacey, Cox replied: “I would think so eventually, but it’s very tough for him.

“He was tricky, but he has learnt a big lesson. He should be allowed to go on because he is a very fine actor. I just think we should be forgiving.”

He concluded: “What is the joy you get out of kicking somebody in the balls when they are down? That is what I cannot stand.”

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