The latest season of The Block has been accused of using AI for music instead of platforming genuine artists and its raising eyebrows.
Throughout the 2026 season so far, there have been plenty of quirky songs made with AI.
In the first few weeks of episodes, a song played about one of the most coveted houses, containing the lyrics: “There’s something about House 4, I don’t know what it is but I want it. I have to have it.” The song was sung in the style of Josh Groban – but it was not the American crooner. In fact, it sounded suspiciously like a song crafted with AI.
Later, Melbourne contestant Tayla mentioned that their room needed some ‘knicky knackies’ for the side table. This throwaway line launched another song, featuring the lyrics “I like to shop, it’s shop time. Sheets, doonas, knicky knackies, yeah,” in an opera-style, jaunty song.
The AI-sounding tunes have not gone unnoticed by some fans – and they’re not all enjoying these unique little tunes.
The Block fans slam the show’s ‘lame’ AI songs
Some viewers are loving the silly songs littered throughout the episodes, but a vocal group of viewers are less than impressed.
In a post on Reddit, one viewer admitted that “the AI music is seriously the last straw” for them. “The crappy AI animations I can cope with… but the sh**ty AI ‘songs’ with themed lyrics are absolutely the last straw. This show has absolutely gone to the dogs, I’m so disappointed,” they wrote.
The rant proved to be a popular post, with several fans echoing their sentiments.
“The AI music is so lame, I agree,” shared another, while someone else said, “The ‘Inso Man’ song was horrible!”
Over the weeks, the AI music use has aggravated fans more and more.
“I don’t mind the funny jingles, even though they are also emotionally manipulative, but the ‘power ballads’ drive me up the wall. I actually find them really offensive,” someone recently commented on a Reddit thread titled, ‘The AI music needs to stop’.
An ex-The Block contestant comes to the show’s defence
2025 contestant Alicia Aplin, who competed alongside her husband Sonny, admits that she doesn’t have any huge issue with the show embracing AI. “Sometimes I think it’s funny,” she told Woman’s Day.
“I guess the rights to music can be very expensive… I have no idea about any of that, but that’s my understanding of my brief time on the show.”
In particular, Alicia enjoyed one song referencing iconic Bunnings worker, Notley. “I thought the Notley song was hilarious,” Alicia said.
“He was such a big role last year for all of us on The Block. He helped us day in and day out. If we couldn’t get over to pick up our Bunnings orders, Notley would. He’s so lovely…. I’m all for the Notley song.”
The Block‘s response to AI criticism
Woman’s Day spoke to post-production executive producer David Barbour about the AI allegations. He opened up on why The Block has embraced AI more than ever in the 2026 season.
“The Block has always embraced new ways of telling stories, which has been one of the reasons the show is now 22 seasons in. This season, AI has become another creative tool in our storytelling toolkit,” he said.
“The heart of The Block remains exactly the same: great contestants, genuine emotion, incredible renovations and plenty of laughs. AI simply gives us more creative options to amplify those moments in entertaining and unexpected ways.”
David went on to say that the show is exploring new technologies to keep up with its “incredibly broad audience, from young kids through to grandparents”, but he understands not all viewers will be ready for it.
“We wanted to lean into tools that surprise people, make them smile and keep the storytelling feeling fresh, while still staying true to the spirit of the show,” he said.
“As with any creative evolution, some viewers will love it immediately, others may be surprised by it, and that’s completely understandable.”
In response to the quirky songs featured in the first batch of episodes, David explains that these AI tunes complement the comedic tone of the reno show.
“The music follows the same philosophy. Alongside our traditional music library, we’ve incorporated AI-generated music where it best serves the story. It allows us to create highly specific musical moments that perfectly complement the tone, humour and personality of a scene,” David continued.
“For us, AI isn’t the story, it’s simply another exciting creative tool that helps us tell stories in new and entertaining ways.”
As viewers remain divided over the show’s use of AI, some former fans are turning on the series. In an online poll, 55 per cent of Woman’s Day readers said they weren’t tuning in to this season of The Block.
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