AI helped a musician with Parkinson’s finish his new album when he could no longer play guitar

Samuel Smith, a 49-year-old London-based singer-songwriter, has turned to artificial intelligence to continue crafting Americana music after Parkinson’s disease severely impaired his ability to play guitar. Diagnosed in 2020, Smith released his second album, *The Art of Letting Go*, in which one track, *Horizon*, relied on AI music generators like Suno and Udio to produce demo arrangements. He hummed melodies into his phone and uploaded recordings to the platforms, describing instrumentation, mood, and style to guide the AI’s output, though he noted it required extensive editing and multiple attempts to achieve a result close to his vision. Smith stressed the AI tools did not replace his creative input—he provided lyrics and core musical ideas, while the technology assisted in translating those into playable demos. His hands, central to his songwriting identity, were increasingly affected by tremors, stiffness, and fatigue, making traditional guitar work nearly impossible. The album follows his 2023 debut, *In the Springtime*, which he recorded before his condition worsened. AI music tools have sparked controversy in the industry, with major labels like Sony, Universal, and Warner suing platforms like Suno and Udio in 2024 over copyright concerns. Universal later settled with Udio, and Warner reached a deal with Suno, though debates over AI’s role in music persist. For Smith, the technology offered a lifeline, enabling him to preserve his artistic output despite physical limitations. The AI-generated demos served as a bridge between Smith’s creative vision and the musicians recording the final tracks, allowing him to communicate ideas he could no longer perform himself. He described the process as ‘unlocking’ his ability to keep writing, framing AI as an enabler rather than a replacement for human artistry. Smith’s story highlights a less-discussed application of AI in music: assisting artists facing physical or creative barriers. While industry disputes focus on copyright and originality, cases like his demonstrate how AI tools might support musicians in ways beyond simple generation, offering solutions tailored to individual challenges.