Artificial intelligence is transforming the way the world creates. In music, what once required entire studios and teams of session players can now be sketched out on a laptop with the help of AI-powered tools. Beats can be generated, melodies suggested, and production techniques refined in seconds. Far from replacing artistry, these innovations have provided musicians with new canvases to explore, accelerating creativity and pushing the boundaries of sound. For artists who embrace it, AI is not a threat but a collaborator. Few know this better than will.i.am, the multi-hyphenate musician, producer, and tech entrepreneur who has long been at the forefront of fusing creativity with innovation. But his belief in AI is rooted in something deeper than the studio. It comes from his personal journey, growing up in an all-Mexican neighborhood in the inner city of Los Angeles. “How can I be afraid of AI if you come from the inner city?” he said at a press conference prepared for him by LG Philippines on Wednesday, August 27, at the Okada Manila in Parañaque City. will.i.am is the experiential architect and collaborator for the LG XBOOM product line of the electronics brand. The Black Eyed Peas member added, “I've already experienced struggle. And here's a tool that can help folks that are struggling not struggle anymore--because it has access to all the information in the world.” For will.i.am, the true advantage of AI isn't just about music--it's about access. He explains, many places have long been underserved in education and financial literacy. Communities have been left behind, not because of a lack of talent or ambition, but because of a lack of resources. AI, with its ability to provide knowledge instantly, could change that equation. The Grammy award-winning artist noted, “You don't have to wait for the government to bring you the best educators. You don't have to wait for politics. You can ask the right questions, aim at the problems you've been struggling with, and find solutions. And when you find solutions, new industries and new careers are born.” Fear vs. Imagination Of course, he doesn't ignore the reality that AI will replace certain jobs. But to him, that shift is nothing new: it's part of the history of creativity. He draws a parallel to the invention of the drum machine. “When the drum machine came out, people feared it would replace drummers. And it did. But look at today: almost every hit song you dance to on Spotify or Apple Music doesn't have a live drummer. A human didn't play those drums, but a human made the beat. Drummers became producers, creators in an entirely new way, he said. The same story unfolded with samplers and synthesizers: initial fear, then explosive innovation. To will.i.am, AI is simply the next chapter. “If you were stuck in yesterday, you feared the drum machine. But if your imagination was going 1,000 miles an hour, the drum machine helped you bring your ideas to life. AI is the same. For hyper-creative people, it's a tool that makes the impossible possible.” Still, he emphasizes responsibility. Like any powerful technology, AI can uplift or undermine, depending on how it's used. “AI is your tool,” he said. “It really depends on how you use it. And you have to be responsible.” For will.i.am, the future of AI isn't just about making hit records--it's about making sure communities once left behind can finally create their own paths forward. Meanwhile, here are some highlights from the event: