Myles Kennedy, the singer of Alter Bridge and Slash Featuring Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators, has made his position on artificial intelligence perfectly clear: he will not let it write his songs. In an interview with SiriusXM host Eddie Trunk, Kennedy said he would “absolutely refuse” to use AI as a songwriting tool, arguing that doing so would “cheat” himself of the creative process.
The refusal comes down to a simple question of craft. Kennedy says he gets more joy from the struggle of writing than he would from letting a machine do the work. His argument is practical, passionate and unapologetic.
Why Kennedy Won’t Let AI Write His Songs
Kennedy’s objection is straightforward. He describes songwriting as a “great scavenger hunt,” a process of problem-solving and discovery that brings immense satisfaction when it finally pays off. He asks why he would deny himself that joy by cutting to a finished product in an afternoon.
“I’ve been writing for the last 10 weeks just because I’ve had some downtime, and there’s nothing I love more than writing — period. Nothing,” Kennedy told Trunk. “So why am I gonna deny myself the joy of the great scavenger hunt? That’s the way I look at it.”
He continues: “You’re trying to problem solve and find parts and navigate through all of this stuff, and then when you find it, it’s like finding gold. There’s nothing better, as far as just the satisfaction you get. So why would I cheat myself by using A.I. to cut to the a song that’s created in an afternoon?”
His answer is blunt. He would rather stick with what he knows.
The Scavenger Hunt Metaphor
Kennedy’s language is telling. He frames songwriting as a hunt, a search for something rare and valuable. Writing a good song requires patience, persistence and a willingness to fail repeatedly before finding something that works.
When Kennedy opens up his notebook or sits at his computer, he does not step out for a long time. He stays with it, obsessively, until something emerges.
A Career Built on Songwriting
Kennedy is not a singer who writes songs. He is a songwriter who sings. He credits his success in Alter Bridge and his work with Slash to that skill, not to any other talent he might possess.
“I’ve had a really great career because I can… I guess I’m known as a singer and whatnot, but ultimately I’m a songwriter, and I think that’s what’s helped me in all of the projects I’m in, is having that thing, whatever that is, to continue to create new songs,” he said.
The songwriting is the foundation. Without it, everything else falls apart. Kennedy’s insistence on doing it himself is a defense of that foundation.
The Obsessive Process
Kennedy admits that his approach is not healthy. He does not sleep well and is always on call for the next idea, which often arrives in a strange sleep state. He is convinced that it is probably not good for him.
But he does not care. He loves it. The process is fascinating to him, and he would be lost without it.
“It’s a little crazy. It’s very obsessive. When I open up that portal, I don’t step out for a long time,” he said. “And I’m convinced it’s probably not healthy for me, ’cause I don’t sleep real well and I’m always kind of on call for when the next idea’s gonna pop into my head.”
He has done it this way for 30-plus years. It is all he knows. And he is not sorry about it.
What About the Critics?
Kennedy is not opposed to everyone else using AI. He respects anyone who finds value in it, even if he does not share their enthusiasm.
“But I’m not joining in on that one,” he said. “There are other people who are gonna say, ‘You know what? I use AI, and it helps me write, and I’m more prolific because of it.’ And I’m, like, ‘Okay, well, if that works for you, good on you.'”
Kennedy’s position is consistent with that broader conversation. He believes that the act of creation matters as much as the result.
The Singer’s Wife Knows the Madness
Kennedy mentions his wife, Selena, in describing his obsessive writing habits. She knows the madness firsthand.
When Kennedy opens up that portal, he does not step out for a long time. That is the nature of the work.
The Fall Tour and Beyond
Alter Bridge is embarking on a headlining US tour this fall, with support from Big Wreck and Tim Montana. The tour kicks off November 5th in Philadelphia and runs through a December 5th show in Reno, Nevada.
After the tour wraps, Kennedy will turn his focus to Slash Featuring Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators. The band is expected to release a new album in early 2027.
The Broader Context
Kennedy’s remarks follow similar comments from his fellow Alter Bridge bandmate Mark Tremonti, who spoke earlier this year about the rise of AI and its effect on what we consider real art.
Kennedy’s position is consistent with that broader conversation. He believes that the act of creation matters as much as the result.
The Bottom Line
Kennedy is not anti-AI. He is pro-songwriting. He loves the process, the hunt, the obsessive moments that keep him awake at night. He does not want to cheat himself of any of it.
His refusal is a statement of principle. He writes songs because he loves to write songs, and he will not let a machine change that.
The tour starts soon. The album is coming. And Myles Kennedy will be writing every note himself.
Key Facts Box
– Tour: Alter Bridge headlining US tour, November 5th in Philadelphia through December 5th in Reno, Nevada
– Support acts: Big Wreck and Tim Montana
– New album: Slash Featuring Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators, expected early 2027
– Songwriting timeline: Kennedy has been writing for 10 weeks with downtime
– Writing duration: 30-plus years of obsessive songwriting
– AI stance: “Absolutely” refuse to use it as a writing tool
See the video the story is built around at Consequence.
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