The Beatles’ AI-Assisted Track Makes History, Nominated For Grammys

In a notable first, The Beatles’ track ‘Now and Then’ has been nominated for Best Rock Performance, against Green Day, Pearl Jam, and The Black Keys at the Grammys ’25. Originally recorded as a rough demo by John Lennon in the 1970s, this project finally came to fruition in 2023 when AI helped isolate Lennon’s vocals, allowing Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr to complete the song. 

This nomination signals a shift in how AI can preserve legacy while enabling innovation in music. While some purists question whether AI belongs in creative fields, AI allowed surviving members Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr to finally complete and release the song in 2023, marking it as a powerful testament to AI’s role in both music preservation and innovation. 

AI Brings Life 

This last song, ‘Now and Then’ by The Beatles was a demo given to McCartney by Lennon’s widow Yoko Ono, recorded on a cassette while Lennon played the piano. McCartney previously worked on Lennon’s compositions ‘Free As A Bird’ and ‘Real Love’ using AI. With AI assistance from the ‘Get Back’ documentary, McCartney mixed the song, allowing him to perform with Lennon during his recent tour. 

Other musicians have similarly explored AI’s capabilities to expand their work: Canadian musician Claire Elise Boucher, known as Grimes, for instance, introduced her AI software, Elf.tech, allowing her fans to use her voice through AI to create new tracks. Besides, composer Holly Herndon uses neural networks to transform her compositions into complex soundscapes. 

Similarly, David Guetta used AI to recreate Eminem’s voice in his live performances, showcasing AI’s flexibility in creative expression. 

Additionally, artists like Taryn Southern and Shawn Everett are experimenting with AI tools such as IBM’s Watson Beat and OpenAI’s Jukebox to enhance music production, creating sounds that blur the line between human and machine creativity.

According to Ditto Music Research, a study of over 1200+ Ditto users found that nearly 60% of independent musicians in 2023, were using AI to make music. With AI, artists can now go beyond conventional boundaries, and the industry will witness more AI-assisted music compositions in the days to come.