Grimes Celebrates Trailblazers Creating ‘Magic’ With AI at TIME100 AI Impact Awards.

Grimes, the Canadian musician and producer, made waves in 2023 by allowing fans to use AI to mimic her voice for creating new music. She also pledged to share royalties with participants, highlighting her dedication to collaborative creativity in both music and technology.

The artist was recently honored at the TIME100 AI Impact Awards in Dubai, where she was recognized alongside three other influential leaders: Anima Anandkumar, a professor at the California Institute of Technology; Refik Anadol, a visual artist; and Arvind Krishna, the CEO of IBM. The event also featured a captivating performance by Emirati soul singer Arqam Al Abri.

During her acceptance speech, Grimes referenced science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke’s famous quote about advanced technology seeming like magic, reflecting on how tech innovators today are creating “real-life magic.” She shared her admiration for remarkable figures shaping the future, including David Holz, creator of the AI tool Midjourney, Aza Raskin, who is exploring whale communication through AI, and Sam Zeloof, an entrepreneur making his own silicon chips.

(@grimes Instagram)

Grimes also highlighted the work of singer-songwriter Holly Herndon, who developed a website helping artists identify if their work has been incorporated into AI models and created a tool for artists to exclude their work from training datasets. Grimes called this development "particularly poetic," adding, “The world is so focused on what's negative that we don't realize there's magic solutions right in front of our very eyes.”

Concluding her speech, Grimes emphasized the importance of celebrating those working to make the world a better place. “Tech has a bad habit of not canonizing its heroes, and as of late, the world has a bad habit of not celebrating its wins,” she said. “There are a lot of people trying to save the world right now, and I believe they are succeeding.”

Grimes’ recognition at the TIME100 AI Impact Awards reflects her pivotal role in the intersection of music, art, and artificial intelligence, and her unwavering belief in the positive impact of technology on society.

The first edition of award was held in March 2022 in Dubai at the Museum of the Future. These awards honor those making groundbreaking contributions in AI across various sectors, including technology, healthcare, education, and entertainment. The initiative highlights the ethical use of AI, the transformative potential of the technology, and the remarkable innovators driving its impact. The awards aim to bring attention to those pushing the boundaries of AI to positively shape the future.

Grimes, whose real name is Claire Elise Boucher, is a Canadian singer, songwriter, producer, and visual artist. She was born on March 17, 1988, in Vancouver, British Columbia. Known for her eclectic and experimental approach to music, Grimes blends genres like electronic, pop, and indie rock, often incorporating futuristic, avant-garde, and DIY elements into her work.

She gained widespread recognition with her 2012 album "Visions", which included hits like "Oblivion" and "Genesis". Grimes' sound is characterized by ethereal vocals, glitchy beats, and a mix of electronic and organic sounds. Over the years, she has released multiple critically acclaimed albums, such as "Art Angels" (2015) and "Miss Anthropocene" (2020).

In addition to her music career, Grimes has made headlines for her interest in technology and AI. She has been vocal about the potential of artificial intelligence in music and has even allowed fans to use AI to replicate her voice for creating new music, showing her willingness to embrace new technologies.

Grimes has also been involved in the tech world, including her appearance at the TIME100 AI Impact Awards where she was recognized for her contributions to AI and digital innovation. She is known for her avant-garde fashion, visual artistry, and unique approach to both music and life.

Grimes was previously in a relationship with entrepreneur Elon Musk, with whom she shares three children.

Grimes Reveals 5-Month Separation from Child Amid Ongoing Custody Battle with Elon Musk