CreateAI releases world's first genAI-made music video

A singer has released the world’s first-ever music video to be produced entirely using generative AI (genAI) technology.

Chinese-Canadian singer and actress Kelly Yu’s Werewolf features AI-generated visuals, combined with human-drawn keyframes and direction, and presents a fairy-tale-inspired theme with castles, forests, and werewolves.

CreateAI, the AI firm behind the project, claims the use of genAI reduced production time by nearly 50% and significantly lowered costs.

Previously known as TuSimple, the company rebranded as CreateAI in December 2024 after marketing itself as autonomous driving company.

🔗 Source: CreateAI

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ Music videos evolve: from MTV to AI-driven anime

The Kelly Yu video represents the latest chapter in music video’s evolution from simple performances to complex digital art.

The format has transformed dramatically since MTV’s launch in 1981 revolutionized music marketing with “Video Killed the Radio Star” as its first broadcast1.

Milestone videos like Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” (1983) established cinematic storytelling in music videos, garnering over 542 million YouTube views and setting a precedent for narrative-driven visual music experiences1.

The rise of YouTube in 2005 marked another transformation point, revitalizing the medium while introducing new commercial opportunities through brand partnerships and product placements1.

Now, AI-generated music videos represent the next frontier, with CreateAI’s technology drastically reducing production time and costs while maintaining artistic vision. This innovation could democratize high-quality video production for artists with smaller budgets.

2️⃣ AI enhances rather than replaces creative collaboration

The “Werewolf” video demonstrates how AI functions as a collaborative tool rather than a replacement for human creativity.

The production specifically highlights the “combined efforts of human directors, production artists, and a cutting-edge generative AI model,” reflecting evolving industry sentiment about AI’s role in creative processes.

This collaborative approach parallels band YACHT’s experience with AI, who viewed the technology not as a threat but as “a tool that helps us better understand and reflect on our own humanity and creativity”2.