As the world gears up for the release of Zedd’s highly anticipated album Telos on August 30, the Grammy-winning DJ and producer opens up about the pivotal role artificial intelligence (AI) has played in his creative process. At 34, Zedd (born Anton Zaslavski) acknowledges that AI has been instrumental in helping him push the boundaries of his music, stating, “I wouldn’t be able, and I would have never been able, to make the music I make if it wasn’t for AI.”
Zedd’s partnership with Intel highlights his enthusiasm for blending technology with art. In collaboration with Intel’s Core Ultra Processor, Zedd has launched an AI-driven experience that allows fans to immerse themselves in the vibrant, stained-glass-inspired artwork of Telos and create personalized videos set to his latest single, “Lucky,” featuring Remi Wolf. This initiative, launched on August 16, exemplifies Zedd’s commitment to offering fans innovative ways to experience music.
The intricate stained glass artwork, which serves as the album’s cover, symbolizes the meticulous effort Zedd put into creating Telos, his first full-length project of new material since 2015’s True Colors. “I wanted something that is very skilled and very complex that you could look at forever and always find something new,” he shares. “The art craft of stained glass is something so difficult to achieve that requires lifelong learning.”
"I've always been really interested in exploring ways for fans to experience music beyond just them pressing play," Zedd explains. "Intel gave us the tools to make that happen."
This complexity mirrors the painstaking process behind Telos. “This album took a painfully long time to make and for a reason. It is a labor of love, and it takes a long time to do things well and meaningful,” Zedd admits. “Unfortunately for me, it took longer than I wish it did. I wish I could have shared this album with the world sooner, but it just took this long to make.”
AI, a topic of much debate and intrigue, is not new to Zedd. He points out that AI has been a part of music production for years, though it has only recently been labeled as such. “The truth is that we’ve been using AI forever,” Zedd explains, referencing the various music software tools that generate instrumental sounds at the click of a button.
For Zedd, AI is not just a tool; it’s a catalyst for artistic innovation. He sees the technology as a means to expedite his creative process, allowing him to deliver his work to the world more efficiently. “I’m excited for AI to get more useful, more applicable so that I can reach the goal of finishing music faster — so I don’t have to let people wait another decade for another album,” he says.
As Telos prepares to make its mark, Zedd’s integration of AI into his music and artistic vision underscores the transformative power of technology in modern art. With AI as his ally, Zedd continues to push the envelope, creating immersive and innovative experiences that resonate with his audience on a deeper level.
