Who has more job security – an engineer or a musician? According to the YouTube piano sensation and former computer engineer Hayato Sumino, the widespread use of artificial intelligence (AI) means that the answer is no longer obvious.
“I made a risky decision when I became a full-time musician. But with AI, the world has changed. Now, maybe engineering work is not so secure but the physicality of the human body cannot be replaced,” says the Japanese star following two sold-out concerts at the University of Hong Kong.
“Using my own body to express music cannot be replaced, no matter how generative AI evolves in the future.”
Sumino, aka Cateen, has 1.42 million subscribers on YouTube and has conquered much of Asia in a few short years. He is a celebrity in his homeland and is extremely popular in Taiwan, South Korea and Hong Kong.
His piano recitals on January 4 and 5 sold out within 48 hours.