Olympic ice dancers performing to AI-generated music spark controversy
AI-generated music featured in an Olympic ice dance routine, raising questions about originality and artistic boundaries.
The Olympic ice dance format combines a themed rhythm dance with a free dance. For the 2026 season, skaters must draw on 1990s music and styles. While most competitors chose recognisable tracks, the Czech siblings used a hybrid soundtrack blending AC/DC with an AI-generated music piece.
Katerina Mrazkova and Daniel Mrazek, ice dancers from Czechia, made their Olympic debut using a rhythm dance soundtrack that included AI-generated music, a choice permitted under current competition rules but one that quickly drew attention.
The International Skating Union lists the rhythm dance music as ‘One Two by AI (of 90s style Bon Jovi)’ alongside ‘Thunderstruck’ by AC/DC. Olympic organisers confirmed the use of AI-generated material, with commentators noting the choice during the broadcast.
Criticism of the music selection extends beyond novelty. Earlier versions of the programme reportedly included AI-generated music with lyrics that closely resembled lines from well-known 1990s songs, raising concerns about originality.
The episode reflects wider tensions across creative industries, where generative tools increasingly produce outputs that closely mirror existing works. For the athletes, attention remains on performance, but questions around authorship and creative value continue to surface.
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