Deliberately replying before reading other replies…
I’m gonna say real… With about 80% confidence.
Its not AI.
This guy is very talented.
However, he does utilise various production tricks to make him ( and his mate) sound even more amazing.
Why does he do it? Cos he’s a tool.
He played this at the age of 16, he probably accumulated 15,000 hours of playing by that age. For me this classical piece is way more intersting that what he currently plays. He is a great guitar virtuoso who found a way to cash in his talent. Irrespective of post production, I think there are very few things guitar wise that he cannot do.
It is defiantly Not fake. It IS music, though it is not music that I prefer. I think the dude is respectable, he clearly knows what he is doing musically, and he know how to put on a show at the same time.
Again, its not my cup of tea, but I don’t think there is any reason to disrespect his ability.
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I think the point is that he claims it was performed on one instrument in one take. That was why he made the video. It’s not a higher standard - it’s just basic honesty.
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Yep. This is the crux of it Mark
Its about an intention to deceive.
Its about integrity.
If someone wishes to add post production effects, or mime a song, play over a track etc, go for it.
I dont see any problem with that.
But, intentionally presenting it as something it is not, is disingenuous…ie, not cool.
And this bloke is notorious for it, talented or not.
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I’m less bothered by the question of fakery than that, to me anyway, he is not playing music, but rather doing a magic show or parlour trick. I don’t take to show-offs.
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Yeah, I don’t particularly care for it. But, going back to the original question, is it AI.
It’s clearly not.
Cheers,
Keith
He patently is… You just don’t like it (which is fine, neither do I)
I quite enjoy watching magic shows and parlour tricks 
I’ve seen Tommy Emmanuel twice, and he does a certain amount of this. I’ve never sat down and listened to any of his songs.
Show-off is a funny word with negative connotations 
Most performers (and many of us here) are show-offs, in as much as when we develop an ability to do something, we like to share that achievement with others.
“Look what I have learned to do!”
The negativity comes in when that is accompanied by the suggestion that you are better than you really are or than others.
I’m very conscious of ‘showing off’ my meagre skills every time I share anything 
This young man is obviously a talented musician and has put in a huge amount of work honing his guitar skills. He is also an excellent performer/entertainer (demonstrated by his popularity).
The main gripe with most of the negative comments here is the feeling that he is implying that he is doing even more than he is.
A certian amount of Tall Poppy Syndrome or Jantelov in my home country 
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I’m surprised by the result. But yeah, AI has improved in many areas in the past months.
One problem with celebrities is that they sometimes think they are the centre of the universe
He is obviously using the term songwriters, exclusively for those who make their living from it, which is only a tiny percentage of musicians, let alone population.
“This might be the most cataclysmic technological innovation in this town since the change from silence to talking pictures.”
I for one like the talkies.
And I like the silent movies they replaced.
And I like the preceeding photography that ‘replaced’ painters.
In my opinion the big problems with AI are social and then environmental. In that order.
Last of all (although important for them), is whether people will be paid for songs they write.
2 cents please!
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I came across this posted on another Guitar site and found Jack Gardiner’s thought give a good perspective from a pro-musicians perspective on the topic.
“A great piece about AI and the future/purpose of being a musician. Food for thought …”
A bit annoying how he equates being an artist/musician with being professional.
Two completely different things; one easy and fun, one really difficult.
AI only really causes problems for the latter in my opinion.
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Hi Brian, hope you are keeping good, you seem to be having fun recently as I saw on a few of your previous posts.
I suppose ‘equated being an artist/musician with being professional’ depends on what your definition of is, in both cases.
An artist/musician could be completely unprofessional i.e. plagiarise others material and have no real ethics in their approach in what or how they create, on the other hand they could take a very proper and professional approach to what they did but not necessarily get anything material from it in return.
If your definition of professional is to receive payment for what an individual does as an artist/musician and to actively sell skills in that field to make a living from it then possibly that is valid. But at the same time that person might not behave in a professional and proper manner.
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I am indeed ‘back’ to a certain degree, and enjoying myself
I believe anyone who creates art (or music) is an artist (or musician).
That is the vast majority of people who indulge in it.
A small minority earn money from the activity, and an even smaller minority ‘earn a living’ from it. I would regard these minorities as professional.
Your last point I would regard more as integrity/honesty issue.
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Yes I think we see it in a similar way.
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He was taking a long time to get to the point so I prompted AI to give me a brief overview of his thoughts on AI:
[mod edit - AI generated content removed]
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If an AI-assisted algorithm sends me anti-AI content, just because I know I’m interested in it, is it self-harming? Is there a helpline for bots? 
*Warning contains references to anti-bot violence and swearing
I love that my small Patreon donation is funding this kind of content
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