Olivia Rodrigo draws a hard line on AI in her songwriting process after a failed experiment with ChatGPT: ‘Absolutely no’
Old school all the way.
Olivia Rodrigo is making her stance on artificial intelligence crystal clear, and it is a firm, unwavering no. According to PEOPLE, the 23-year-old pop star has drawn a hard line regarding the use of AI in her creative songwriting process. While she is known for her vulnerability and confessional style, she isn’t interested in letting technology do the heavy lifting for her. “I would never use AI in any of my music,” she said. “Absolutely no. Hard line on that.”
The star’s only experience with the technology was purely for entertainment. She and her longtime producer once decided to see what ChatGPT could generate for song titles. It is safe to say the results were a major disappointment. “The closest I’d ever got is that once, me and [producer] Dan [Nigro] were like, ‘God, I wonder what ideas ChatGPT would have for an Olivia Rodrigo title,’ and they’re all f—ing awful.”
It is easy to see why Rodrigo avoids such tools, especially given her hands-on approach to her latest album, You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love. This project was born from genuine life experiences rather than algorithms. After going through a breakup, Rodrigo felt the need to shift the tone of the album. She worked closely with Nigro to rewrite and edit existing tracks, injecting a sense of melancholy that a chatbot simply could not replicate.
A focus on authentic, human songwriting has become a hallmark of Rodrigo’s work
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Robert Smith of The Cure, who features on the album track What’s Wrong With Me, has praised her dedication to the craft. “Olivia’s desire to be recognized as a songwriter is very refreshing; it’s unmodern in a way,” Smith noted. “It’s not effortless – she spends an awful lot of time getting things right with her music. But she also gets it right so quickly. It’s bizarre at times.”
You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love captures the emotional complexity of Rodrigo’s first adult relationship, moving from the excitement of a new crush to the difficult reality of a breakup. Songs like Expectations highlight her return to the dating scene, with Rodrigo joking about the unlikelihood of finding a partner at a bar in Silver Lake. She also noted that the process forced her to embrace the necessity of editing.
“When you’re young, you just write and write and write. Editing has been something I’ve had to learn to do as I’ve become more of a quote-unquote professional songwriter,” she explained.
Rodrigo’s commitment to her craft stands in stark contrast to the formulaic, soulless tracks that have flooded streaming services in recent years. She remains dedicated to the old-school confessional style that her fans love. This approach remains central to her identity, even as she juggles the massive success of her sold-out tour and the recent launch of her women-led charity festival, Daisy Chain Fields.
Rodrigo is establishing herself as a singular voice for her generation
Despite the fame and the constant scrutiny, the young star remains grounded in her love for music. She is not interested in shortcuts, and she is certainly not interested in letting machines write her story.
Her latest work reflects her growth as an artist who is willing to be raw and honest about her flaws, including feelings of jealousy and obsession. This honesty is precisely what keeps her music feeling urgent and unfiltered. While some might look to technology to make the creative process easier, Rodrigo prefers the challenge of digging deep into her own experiences.
Whether she is headlining a festival or working in a rehearsal space, her values remain constant. She is a firm believer in the power of human connection, activism, and truth-speaking. These themes permeate her music and her public persona, setting her apart in an industry that often favors the easy route.
As she moves forward with her career, her fans can expect the same level of authenticity that has defined her work since her early days. She isn’t looking to change her methods or outsource her creativity to an AI. Instead, she is embracing the work, the editing, and the emotional challenges that come with being a professional songwriter. You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love is currently available for listeners to stream.
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