SEVENTEEN stirred mixed reactions among fans and critics with the release of the teaser for their upcoming title track “Maestro” on April 25. The teaser, featuring a dark contrast to their previous comeback with “God of Music”, hints at a dark concept of the use of AI technology in art.

Fans deciphered from the narration and visuals that “Maestro” well into the theme of AI in art, showcasing a symbolic “battle” between SEVENTEEN and AI. However, the teaser also sparked controversy due to a disclaimer revealing that a portion of the footage was created using AI.

Critics pointed out the irony of SEVENTEEN’s critique of AI technology while employing it in their teaser. AI has faced significant backlash in art communities for utilizing artworks without consent in its training process.

Therefore, SEVENTEEN’s use of AI was deemed “hypocritical” by many, suggesting that the agency could have employed VFX artists to replicate AI effects.

Despite the criticism, some fans defended SEVENTEEN, arguing that the use of AI was necessary to highlight how AI technology falls short of creating authentic art like humans. Others expressed hope that SEVENTEEN’s AI use was limited to the production house’s database to prevent the exploitation of human artists’ work.

The controversy surrounding SEVENTEEN’s “Maestro” teaser reflects broader discussions in the entertainment industry about the ethical use of AI in art and music production. As SEVENTEEN’s comeback approaches, fans await further details on how the group will face this contentious topic in their creative endeavors.