Nobuo Uematsu, the renowned composer for the iconic Final Fantasy series, recently opened up about his perspective on artificial intelligence in the gaming world. While acknowledging its potential applications in game music, he firmly stated his personal disinterest in utilizing such technology.
During an interview with JASRAC Magazine, Uematsu elaborated that AI could potentially assist with smooth transitions between musical pieces in games. However, he emphasized that he has no inclination to use generative AI for creating entirely new game soundtracks.
Uematsu candidly stated, “I’ve never used AI and probably never will. I think it still feels more rewarding to go through the hardships of creating something myself.” He further explained that a significant part of appreciating music comes from understanding the human story and background of its creator, something AI inherently lacks.
He highlighted that live musical performances, by their very nature, possess an “unstable” quality. It is precisely these “fluctuations and imperfections,” Uematsu believes, that imbue music with its profound satisfaction and emotional resonance.
Despite Uematsu’s personal stance, his employer, Square Enix, has expressed a keen interest in integrating AI. The company’s president, Takashi Kiryu, commented in 2024 that generative AI holds the potential to “reshape what we create, but also to fundamentally change the processes by which we create, including programming.”
Artificial intelligence continues to be a highly debated topic across the gaming and broader creative industries. While many voice concerns and skepticism, others, such as acclaimed developer Hideo Kojima, advocate for its adoption. Industry analysts even suggest that an “AI bubble” might be on the horizon, potentially leaving only a few dominant players. Interestingly, a 2024 survey revealed that a majority of game developers globally are already using generative AI tools, despite persistent worries among the workforce.
For more Final Fantasy content, explore our gallery of the best spin-off games:
