Rick Rubin on AI, Creativity, and The Way of Code

July 2, 2026

1:09

Rick Rubin on AI, Creativity, and The Way of Code

Ever wonder if AI is a threat to creativity or its biggest ally? Rick Rubin, joining a16z's podcast, pushes back — he sees AI not as a replacement but as a new brush in the artist’s toolkit. Rubin, along with Marc Andreessen and others, dives into how AI amplifies individual taste, curiosity, and the core of true artistry. He argues that, just like remix culture and vibe coding, AI can expand what’s possible — if you stay true to yourself. Rubin’s philosophy, detailed in his book 'The Way of Code,' echoes a timeless truth: enduring creativity starts with authenticity, not pandering to audiences. According to Rubin, the real value lies in your unique perspective — AI simply helps you express it more freely. So what does this mean for entrepreneurs and creators? It’s all about embracing AI as a partner, not a threat, and focusing on what only you can bring to the table. The big question: are you ready to rethink what creativity really means in the age of code?

Rick Rubin joins Marc Andreessen, Ben Horowitz, Anjney Midha, and Erik Torenberg to discuss creativity, artificial intelligence, and his book The Way of Code, which reimagines the Tao Te Ching for the age of AI.

The conversation explores vibe coding, remix culture, artistic process, entrepreneurship, and what AI changes, and doesn't change, about creativity. Rubin argues that AI is best understood not as a replacement for artists, but as another creative tool, one that expands what's possible while making taste, curiosity, and individual perspective even more valuable.

Along the way, they discuss music, philosophy, startup building, collective intelligence, and why the most enduring creative work begins with staying true to yourself rather than trying to satisfy an audience.

Resources:

Follow Rick Rubin on X: https://x.com/rickrubin

Follow Marc Andreessen on X: https://x.com/pmarca

Follow Ben Horowitz on X: https://x.com/bhorowitz

Follow Anjney Midha on X: https://x.com/AnjneyMidha

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Audio Transcript