Czech band releases what might be the world’s first AI-created video

As we pontificate and ponder what wonders and disasters artificial intelligence will bring forth in the not-so-distant future, a Czech band is having a good time playing around with technology and asking why not have a little fun with it. 

The band, named Tak Co, or “So What” in their language, has embraced and embodied a kind of enthusiastic giddiness when it comes to AI. They’re claiming their newest single, “In the Belvedere Hotel,” is one of the first to be created with a massive assist from AI — from the press release announcing the song to the video created for it. 

“With the help of advanced artificial intelligence technology, the clip was created by filmmaker and director Petr Salaba,” the band says. “The author of the clip chose a dark atmosphere of rain, shadows and neons. Technologically, he used a combination of Stable Diffusion, Midjourney and Gen 2 tools, which can synthesize a static image from a text input and then move it with a high degree of randomness.” The band goes on to say, with the help of AI, that there was not a single static image or classical animation technique used in the video, instead relying solely on AI. 

“After the success of our classically animated music video ‘Doctor Foltyn is Coming Here’ and the lyric video for ‘Autumn,’ we were eager to explore new artistic horizons,” says band member David Hrbek (through AI, it should be noted), adding that the video and song is a contemplation on themes of “longing and emotional unfulfillment.” 

Director Salaba says that while the lyrics of the song aren’t specifically about technology, they still “resonate with a profound sense of separation and an inherent yearning for human connection. This led me to explore the motif of virtual reality, a concept that can fulfill desires yet poignantly reveals a fundamental emptiness. The resulting synthetic anachronism, from the nostalgic ‘40s gloom to the decadent ‘80s colors, culminates in a thought-provoking punchline with sauteed VR goggles.

“I chose the noirish atmosphere of rain, shadows and neon, not only because it complements the song but also because AI excels in handling such visual elements,” Salaba continues. “The synthesis of general physical phenomena enhances the emotional depth of the video, providing an unique connection between technology and human sentiment.”

Here’s the video: Can you tell it’s all AI?