About this episode
The collision of AI and artistry has ignited intense debate about the future of creative work, the value of originality, and what it means to make something truly human. In this episode, Mira Lane, Google’s VP of Technology and Society, joins musician and filmmaker Will Hatcher (aka King Willonious ) — the creator of what many consider the world’s first AI-generated hit song — to explore this rapidly evolving landscape. They unpack how tools like Google’s Music Sandbox and the film creation platform Flow are reshaping creative workflows. Hatcher shares how his “studio in a backpack” helps him level the playing field, making the case that AI doesn’t replace imagination — it expands it. Together, they sketch a hopeful vision of a future where technology becomes a catalyst for bold, boundary-pushing new art. Watch our complimentary documentary in which King Willonious invites us into his rich world of constant creativity in New York City, and shows us how he uses AI to bring projects to life in real-time.