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AI Music Controversy Rocks Olympic Figure Skating

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, February 10th 2026 at 13:25 GMT by People
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Beijing, February 10th, 2026 - A storm is brewing in the world of competitive figure skating following revelations that Czech duo Eva Suchanka and Filip Poje employed AI-generated music during their Olympic performance. The decision, initially hailed by the skaters as a move towards originality, has quickly ignited a fierce debate regarding the rules, ethics, and very definition of artistry in a sport steeped in tradition.

The controversy centers around the couple's use of the Suno AI platform to create the musical backdrop for their free skate routine. Suchanka explained to Czech publication Sport.cz that their motivation stemmed from a desire to differentiate themselves. "We wanted to be original," she said. "We didn't want to use something that everyone else was using. The platform is accessible, affordable, and you can create what you want." The appeal of affordability and creative control proved strong, leading them to bypass the traditional process of commissioning or licensing existing musical works.

However, the reaction from within the skating community has been largely negative. Concerns aren't simply about breaking with convention; they relate to the fundamental principles governing music selection within the International Skating Union (ISU) framework. The ISU is currently conducting a thorough investigation to determine whether the use of AI-generated music constitutes a violation of existing regulations. The core issue is whether a composition created by artificial intelligence can be considered a legitimate "musical composition" under the current rules, which traditionally require skaters to utilize pre-existing, recorded pieces.

"The rules are clear, but the technology isn't," explains renowned skating coach and former Olympic medalist, Katarina Ivanova. "Skaters are judged on their interpretation of the music as much as their athletic skill. If the music itself doesn't have a composer, an established artistic lineage, how can that interpretation be meaningfully evaluated? It throws the entire judging criteria into question."

The implications of this case extend far beyond figure skating. The incident is a microcosm of a larger, rapidly accelerating trend: the increasing integration of AI into artistic disciplines. From visual arts and literature to music composition and choreography, AI tools are becoming increasingly sophisticated, blurring the lines between human creativity and algorithmic generation. This raises crucial questions about authorship, originality, and the very essence of artistic expression.

The affordability aspect also adds a layer of complexity. Traditional music licensing can be prohibitively expensive, particularly for skaters from smaller nations with limited funding. Suchanka and Poje highlighted this cost barrier as a driving factor in their decision. Critics argue that allowing AI-generated music could create an uneven playing field, potentially favoring those who can afford the technology over those who invest in established composers and musicians.

This isn't the first instance of AI influencing Olympic sports. We've seen AI used for athlete training, performance analysis, and even judging assistance. However, this situation marks the first time AI has been directly integrated into the artistic presentation of an Olympic event, setting a precedent that could reshape the landscape of competitive artistry. Some commentators are suggesting the ISU needs to proactively establish clear guidelines regarding the use of AI in music, potentially creating a separate category for performances utilizing AI-generated compositions.

The debate isn't just about legality; it's about preserving the soul of figure skating. Many fear that widespread adoption of AI-generated music could lead to homogenization, diminishing the artistic depth and emotional resonance of the sport. The ISU faces a difficult balancing act: embracing technological innovation while safeguarding the integrity and artistic values that define figure skating. The outcome of the investigation will undoubtedly set a critical precedent for not just figure skating, but for all artistic disciplines navigating the age of artificial intelligence.