The Beatles’ closing track, restored utilizing AI, is up for a Grammy

The Beatles have been nominated for 2 Grammys — practically 50 years after the band formally cut up up. Their closing track, known as “Now and Then,” was restored final yr with the assistance of AI, and is now up for report of the yr alongside the likes of Beyoncé, Charlie XCX, Billie Eilish, and Taylor Swift. It’s additionally been nominated for finest rock efficiency, the place it goes up in opposition to Inexperienced Day, Pearl Jam, and The Black Keys.

Nonetheless, “Now and Then” was by no means launched, as know-how on the time couldn’t separate John’s vocals and piano to get a transparent sound. However in 2021, filmmaker Peter Jackson and his sound crew had been capable of separate the instrumentals and vocals with machine studying know-how, permitting Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr to lastly full the track.

Although “Now and Then” was completed utilizing machine studying, it nonetheless falls throughout the bounds of The Grammy’s guidelines surrounding AI. The rules at the moment state that “solely human creators are eligible to be submitted for consideration for, nominated for, or win a GRAMMY Award,” however work that incorporates “parts” of AI materials is “eligible in relevant classes.”

It’s a bit unusual to see “Now and Then” competing with modern-day music like Beyoncé’s “Texas Maintain ‘Em,” but it surely’s been a very long time coming. We’ll get to see how the Beatles fare through the 2025 Grammy Awards, which takes place on Sunday, February 2nd.