As an artist ahead of his time, Howard Jones was the first to play the keyboard like a guitar, and wore his hair in a two-tone Mohican to get noticed. Now, 40 years after he brought synth-pop to the 1980s, he is pushing the boundaries again.
The 68-year-old singer, who had six UK Top 10 hits at the height of his fame, is having an AI version of his voice made so he can create choirs of himself, and keep singing even if he loses his voice – or perhaps even after he is gone. The technology may have been causing more concern than excitement, but Howard says he is embracing it, albeit with some precautions.
He says: “I still try to keep up with new technology, but this is the thing I’m very excited about. My friend, BT, who is an American electronic artist, is making the AI version of my voice. I’ll be able to use it in the studio to create choirs and different extensions of the voice, I can’t wait to use that.”
He admits it could keep him singing after age affects his voice, but says: “It isn’t primarily for longevity. If you lose your voice, or in the studio you need to fill in a part that’s in your head you can call on the AI version.”
The singer enjoyed fame in the 80s (
Image:
DAILY MIRROR)
But he concedes there is a “worrying side” to AI. He says: “We’re trying to make sure the sound of my AI voice is protected. It will have stuff embedded in it so if someone gets hold of it they can’t use it without permission. I don’t think AI can come up with original things.
“It can copy and mix things from the…