Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith recently shared his strong opinions on artificial intelligence in music and bands’ over-reliance on technology. This was reported in an interview with UnDinamo – La Última Radio De Rock.
Smith expressed his concerns about the current state of the music industry, particularly regarding the use of AI as a compositional tool and musicians’ dependence on digital equipment.
“I don’t like it. I don’t like it. I mean, people seem to be craving more reward with less effort,” Smith said. “I think part of the enjoyment and the fun is the journey of getting there and the process and the struggle. It makes you feel good when you get it. If someone just gives you something, it’s all finished and done.”
Smith emphasized his preference for organic music creation, referencing his collaborative work with Richie Kotzen.
“And I think from our point of view, the albums that Richie [Kotzen] and I do [under the Smith/Kotzen banner] are pretty organic,” he continued. “There’s no loads of overdubs. It’s just two guitars [and our] voices. A few overdubs, of course, [but we] try to keep it organic, keep the human feel.”
Smith concluded with particularly sharp criticism of modern bands’ technological dependencies.
“A.I., it just makes me shiver,” he said. “And when you hear about bands canceling gigs, ’cause they’ve lost their laptop computer — I mean, come on.”
Smith’s stance on technology presents an interesting paradox. The veteran guitarist has himself embraced various digital tools throughout his career while maintaining his preference for organic sound creation.
Despite his criticism of over-reliance on technology, Smith incorporates digital tools like the Roland GR-20 Guitar Synthesizer for synth-like riffs and rack gear such as the TC Electronic 2290 and Lexicon MX200, controlled via MIDI in live settings. This information was detailed by Guitar Kizai Hikaku. This demonstrates his selective approach to technology integration, using it as a tool rather than a crutch.
For his current touring setup, Smith relies on Line 6 amps with stompboxes upfront for rhythm, harmony, and lead sounds, plus delays split for monitors, blending analog feel with modern technology. This was shown in a 2025 rig rundown video. This setup reflects his philosophy of maintaining the human element while utilizing technological advantages.
Smith’s recording approach has also evolved with technology over the years. The guitarist has used laptop-linked amps like Blackstar HT-5 and Series One models for recording albums such as The Final Frontier and The Book of Souls, as documented by Equipboard. This shows that while he criticizes bands for being completely dependent on laptops for live performances, he recognizes their value in controlled recording environments.
Smith’s comments reflect a broader debate within the music industry about the balance between technological advancement and artistic authenticity. His position suggests that technology should enhance rather than replace the fundamental human elements of music creation and performance.
