J-Pop’s legendary hitmaker was beaten by an AI on live TV — and it’s now AKB48’s new official song

Key Highlights

• Google’s Gemini AI won with 14,225 votes, Akimoto got 10,535
• AI song “Omoide Scroll” is AKB48’s 67th single
• Akimoto wrote over 100 million songs for top idol groups

Japan’s top songwriter lost to an AI on live TV. Fans picked the AI’s song by 3,690 more votes. Google Gemini learned Yasushi Akimoto’s style and wrote “Omoide Scroll” for AKB48’s 20th anniversary. The BBC report showed Akimoto’s surprise. He said it was a shame and that he wrote it with all his might.

The AI picked Ito Momoka to sing lead after checking interviews with AKB48 members. “Omoide Scroll” has lyrics about heartbreak in the smartphone age, like “I stop the scroll of memories / Like the battery light fading out,” said Rino Sashihara, who hosted the reveal. Akimoto’s song “Cécile” was removed from YouTube after the results.

AKB48’s last 53 singles hit number one on Japan’s Oricon Chart since 2009’s “”River.”” Now, the group faces a big test with this AI-made song on streaming platforms. Music experts are watching to see if fans will support songs from AI music generators or turn away from the tech. The AKB48 video for “Omoide Scroll” will show early fan reactions.