In a firm stance, Billy Corgan declares that using AI in music creation is a deal with the devil, arguing it erodes artistic soul and originality.

He warns the industry-wide consequences, predicting AI could disrupt the economy, publishing, and songwriters’ livelihoods, potentially leading to a new class of skilled AI operators or 'program wranglers.'

Corgan frames the AI issue as a spiritual risk, suggesting embracing AI would threaten humanity’s creative potential.

The piece previews upcoming Smashing Pumpkins performances, including Lollapalooza in Chicago this summer and the Darker Waves festival in Huntington Beach this fall, with ticket links.

The remarks emerged from an appearance linked to the And The Writer Is… podcast, as reported by ABC Audio.

ABC Audio reported the interview on April 16, 2026, noting Corgan’s comments on AI and creativity.

Beyond music, the article highlights Corgan’s multifaceted career—solo work, collaborations, poetry, wrestling promotion, cafe ownership, and animal shelter advocacy—to show the breadth of his creative life.

The piece acknowledges other artists experimenting with AI but positions Corgan’s view as part of a broader tension over technology’s role, with no intention to shift his own approach to AI.

Corgan’s position is presented as a definitive personal stance rather than a nuanced debate, emphasizing moral and metaphysical dimensions of the issue.

The remarks are framed within a broader spiritual and ethical context about AI, rather than a purely technical critique.

He underscores a human-centered creative process, favoring raw, imperfect, human-made work over polished or synthetic results.

Corgan links AI’s rise to long-term shifts in the music landscape, including the role of producers and the risk of fewer hours for traditional songwriters, with possible branding implications for AI-savvy practitioners.