Will.i.am has a long list of accomplishments as a member of the mega-platinum hip-hop group Black Eyed Peas (“Imma Be,” “Boom Boom Pow,” “I Gotta Feeling”) and a songwriter and producer for superstars including Michael Jackson, Rihanna, Nicky Minaj, Justin Timberlake, Lady Gaga and U2. But in his conversation with Variety senior entertainment and crafts editor Carolyn Giardina at today’s Variety Summit at CES 2025 at the Aria in Las Vegas, he focused on his innovative work as a tech entrepreneur, most notably as founder and CEO of fyi.ai.

Will.i.am spent the bulk of his time on stage giving a demonstration of the fyi.ai app, billed as “an AI-powered productivity tool designed to serve the creative community and beyond.”

On Monday at CES, will.i.am appeared at LG’s press conference to introduce the line of audio products he developed as the “experiential architect” of the company’s new “xboom by will.i.am” brand, including Bluetooth speakers that use AI to automatically adjust their sound to emphasize the melody, rhythm or voice.

Will.i.am told Giardina that regulations and governance for AI is needed as soon as possible, but he’s not scared by the technology.

“I’m not worried about AI making music because it’s making music differently than what I need to make music for,” he said. “I make music for my spiritual rants. It’s therapeutic for me, regardless if people listen to it or not. I have to do it for my own emotional grounding.”

Will.i.am said he’s received pushback for his contention that AI-generated music has the potential to affect people the way the work of Prince affected him.

“I was going to make awesome music just like Prince did, and then somebody be like, ‘Hey, but Prince ain’t a robot, though,’” said the artist-entrepreneur, who kicks off a residency with the Black Eyed Peas at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas next month. “I’m like, yeah, but he was awesome, and awesome is awesome. But, more importantly, Prince’s awesomeness did not dim my light. Prince’s awesomeness inspired me. And if you are now going to be afraid of being inspired, then you ain’t truly creative.”