The Beatles' Final Record Made Possible by AI

AI used to extract John Lennon’s voice from an old demo

The Beatles are set to release one last record — thanks to the help of artificial intelligence. Paul McCartney revealed that AI technology was used to isolate John Lennon's vocals from an old demo, creating a "new" Beatles song slated for release later this year.

McCartney explained that during the making of Peter Jackson’s "Get Back" documentary, AI separated The Beatles' vocals from background noises on old recordings. AI "extricated John's voice from a cassette and piano," allowing engineers to then remix the track.

The yet-to-be-named demo is reportedly an unfinished 1978 Lennon love song called "Now and Then." AI made it possible to isolate Lennon's voice "so we could mix the record as you would do," said McCartney.

While calling the tech "kind of scary but exciting," McCartney said it remains to be seen where AI leads the music industry. The same isolation techniques let McCartney "duet" virtually with Lennon last year.

The AI-powered song will give fans one final Beatles track featuring all four members, decades after the band originally split. McCartney is also set to open an exhibit later this month showcasing unseen Beatles-era photos he took during the height of "Beatlemania."