Madonna calls AI the complete opposite of making art in a new Vogue Italia interview
Madonna called AI “the complete opposite of making art” in a new Vogue Italia interview, saying a process built only on algorithms and streaming numbers leaves no room to take risks.
What Madonna told Vogue Italia about AI
Her July 2026 cover interview turned to how new artists get signed, and she did not hold back. Digital Music News spotted the comment.
Working only in terms of algorithms and artificial intelligence doesn't allow you to take risks, which is the complete opposite of making art.
She tied it to her own writing. “Today, to get a record deal, you think about how many followers you have,” she said. “That’s why in Bring Your Love, I say, ‘Don’t try to distract me with numbers,’ because I started without thinking about the charts, the streaming.”
Why Madonna’s AI comment reads differently for new artists
When Madonna came up, social media and its algorithms did not exist. She built an audience without a follower count to chase.
That gap is the point. Her argument is less about the tools and more about the mindset they push: make work to please a feed, and you stop taking the swings that built her career.
There is a fair counter, and Digital Music News raised it too. Finding inspiration outside digital metrics is good advice whether or not you ever open an AI tool.
Frequently asked questions
What did Madonna say about AI in her Vogue Italia interview?
Madonna said relying on AI tools is the complete opposite of making art. She told Vogue Italia that working only through algorithms and artificial intelligence does not let an artist take risks.
Why does Madonna think AI gets in the way of making art?
Madonna links good art to taking risks and ignoring metrics. She argues that chasing follower counts, streams and algorithm-friendly output pushes artists away from the risks that make work original.
Did Madonna use AI on her own music?
Madonna did not name any AI tools in the interview. She said she prefers to step away from social distractions when she writes, and pointed to her song Bring Your Love as an example of ignoring the numbers.
About the author
Covering AI music tools, industry shifts, and news for music creators and professionals. Twice-weekly newsletter at aimusicpreneur.com.
