Additional Coverage:
- AI helped a musician with Parkinson’s finish his new album when he could no longer play guitar (apnews.com)
London Musician Harnesses AI to Overcome Parkinson’s Challenges and Continue Creating
LONDON – For years, Samuel Smith crafted Americana songs with his guitar as his faithful companion. However, after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2020, the progressive neurological disorder began to erode his ability to play, threatening his musical career and creative outlet.
Now based in London, Smith has turned to artificial intelligence (AI) to help bridge the gap left by his diminishing guitar skills. His latest album, The Art of Letting Go, features eight tracks, including an instrumental called “Horizon,” where AI-generated music demos played a key role in shaping the arrangements conveyed to session musicians.
Smith explains that his demos were never meant to be final recordings. Instead, by humming melodies into his phone and uploading them to AI platforms like Suno and Udio, he could produce rough instrumental versions that communicated his artistic vision despite his physical limitations. Tremors, stiffness, and fatigue – hallmark symptoms of Parkinson’s – made playing increasingly difficult over the more than year-long process of producing the album.
“At that point, I faced a choice: don’t play, don’t create, or find a new route,” Smith said. “For me, AI was that route.”
Smith’s journey highlights an evolving role for AI in music creation, especially for artists contending with disabilities that affect traditional instruments. His debut album, In the Springtime, released in 2023, was initially a personal keepsake for his two sons, capturing the time when he could still perform and record on his own.
“I’d always written, played, and sung,” he said. “When Parkinson’s started compromising my music, it was clear I needed to adapt.”
AI Tools Unlock New Creative Pathways
AI music generators analyze vast libraries of melodies, rhythms, and harmonies to produce new compositions based on user prompts or recorded inputs. Smith noted that crafting convincing demos often took 50 to 150 attempts and significant fine-tuning to reflect his style accurately.
“I’m not handing over my creativity to AI,” he emphasized. “I upload my lyrics and melodies. AI just helps bring those ideas to life so I can share them with other musicians.”
By providing a sonic blueprint, AI enabled Smith to collaborate effectively with seasoned players, translating his concepts despite his physical challenges.
A Memorable Collaboration Amidst Adversity
The album’s production was led by Grammy-winning pianist Matt Rollings, who brought together acclaimed roots and bluegrass musicians, including 16-time Grammy winner Jerry Douglas, banjoist Alison Brown, fiddler Stuart Duncan, and others. For Smith, recording alongside these artists in Nashville was a deeply meaningful experience.
Notably, Grammy-nominated guitarist Julian Lage joined Smith on the title track and “Horizon.” Despite months of not playing, Smith seized a brief moment in the studio when his arm loosened enough to perform a guitar duet with Lage – a poignant “last breath” of his playing.
“That 10-minute window felt like a gift,” Smith recalled. “It was a bittersweet but powerful moment.”
Balancing Innovation with Artistic Integrity
Experts acknowledge AI’s potential to empower musicians facing physical challenges. Ruaidhri Mannion, a composer and academic at Brunel University, likened AI tools to prior technological advances that democratized music-making, enabling more people to collaborate and create.
“AI can encourage participation and confidence,” Mannion said. “But it’s important not to lose the trial and error, the frustrations, and the collaborative magic that make music meaningful.”
There are also concerns about the ethical use of AI, particularly around copyright and royalty protections for artists. Musicians have called for responsible AI development that supports creators rather than undermines them.
Advocating for Responsible AI in Music
Smith believes his experience illustrates AI’s promise when thoughtfully integrated into creative processes. He urges companies developing these tools to engage with healthcare professionals, therapists, and communities to demonstrate their positive societal role.
In May, Smith joined the Berklee Music and Health Institute’s event in New York, where industry leaders and clinicians gathered to explore music’s benefits for neurological conditions. He shared his story and performed with fellow musicians from his album.
For Smith, continuing to make music is about more than artistry – it’s about legacy.
“My youngest child won’t remember me playing, which is heartbreaking,” he said. “But I refuse to be defined by this disease. Thanks to AI, I can keep creating and leave something lasting for my family.”