What’s behind Rivers Cuomo’s recent cryptic tweets? It’s AI

Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo was featured on Twitter this week — sort of.

The rocker, who posted sparingly earlier this year, fired off more than 50 tweets as of Monday morning. Within an hour he posted about “#femboy anthem” estrogen and the English rock band Arctic Monkeys.

His infrequent posting continued Tuesday and Wednesday, with dozens of new posts shared in less than an hour. Taking to Twitter, Cuomo apparently teased a new album and responded to fans — even if they didn’t address him.

“Haha yeah I feel you” he said in noAnswer tweet on Wednesday. “I am thrilled that you are listening to the new Weezer album. It is lit.”

Also, this week’s tweets contained outdated hashtags (#YOLO) and uncharacteristic emojis that were missing from Cuomo’s previous posts.

So what could be behind the Weezer singer’s dramatic Twitter shift? Try artificial intelligence.

Days before the influx of tweets, Cuomo shared that he was experimenting with the AI ​​program known as ChatGPT. According to AI lab OpenAI, ChatGPT is a chatbot that tries to mimic conversations.

On December 5th, the singer tweeted that he used GPT writing a song based on a new Weezer single “to see how they compare”. For fans, the difference was pretty obvious.

Weezer’s lyrics for his new song “I Want A Dog” contained rhymes and emotional ups and downs. The AI ​​seemed to be writing a simpler, more upbeat tune over a puppy.

Cuomo then had the AI ​​tech promote the new song on Twitter.

“I’m so excited to announce the release of Weezer’s pawsome new song I Want a Dog,” read the AI-generated tweet. “It’s from our upcoming album #SZNZ: Winter out Dec 21. We think it’s incredible.”

Shortly after the tweet was posted, Cuomo responded with a disclaimer.

“This tweet was written by GPT-3. I’m not sure what ‘Ruffin’ amazing’ means, but I kind of like it,” he said.

Since GPT’s first tweet last Thursday, Cuomo seems to have given the AI ​​full decision-making power over his Twitter account. Representatives for Cuomo and Weezer did not immediately respond to the Times’ request for confirmation Thursday.

However, with more responses to Phantom fans and promotion of Weezer’s OK Human album (which was released in January 2021), it’s clear that Cuomo’s current Twitter presence has users scratching their heads.

“I’m absolutely going insane over Rivers Cuomo’s Twitter. It’s like an af—lament configuration, I can’t stop thinking about how bizarre it is.” tweeted streamer Iain.

“Rivers Cuomo may have the most confusing Twitter feed ever.” said another Twitter user.

“Can someone please explain Rivers Cuomo’s Twitter to me, they’re all written as if it were a live transcription at some kind of bizarre question and answer event.” wrote @scaredworried.

See more reactions to Cuomo’s Twitter page below.