In the run-up to the contest, Akimoto was philosophical about the process.
“Everyone keeps asking me, ‘What will you do if you lose?’,” he said.
“It’s fascinating to think that AI could create such a great song, and I’m looking forward to it.
“I’d like to hear [fans] say, ‘I never thought of that!'”
When the votes were counted, the AI won by 14,225 votes to Akimoto’s 10,535.
Speaking on live television, the musician admitted he was “disappointed” by the loss.
“That’s a shame. I wrote it with all my might,” he said.
The AI program was also asked for a response, and commented: “Maybe the real me was trying to show something new by losing this time.”
“Shut up!” Akimoto retorted, prompting laughter in the studio.
The composer was comforted by Grammy-winning jazz musician Hiromi Uehara and former AKB48 singer Sashihara Rino, who encouraged a rematch.
Akimoto laughed off the suggestion, but expressed frustration about technology’s ability to mine data and find the “maximum common denominator”.
However, he conceded: “I think the AI song is a good song.”
AloJapan.com