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AI music sparks industry debate
2 hrs ago |
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Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming Zimbabwe's music industry, with AI-generated songs attracting large online audiences and igniting debate over creativity, ownership, royalties and industry recognition.
As technology-driven music gains popularity on digital platforms, artists, producers and industry stakeholders are grappling with questions about how AI-created works should fit into traditional music structures, including airplay, awards and royalty distribution.
Songs such as Ndakainamatira and Mwari Aripo have emerged as examples of AI-generated music gaining significant traction online, highlighting changing listener preferences and the growing influence of artificial intelligence in music production.
While audiences have embraced some of these productions, concerns are mounting among musicians who argue that AI-generated works should not compete directly with music created through human effort and artistic expression.
Musician and producer Mono Mukundu said the rise of AI-generated music presents a fairness challenge for artists who invest substantial time and resources into creating original content.
"It is very unfair for you to spend two weeks creating a song and then someone just types on a computer and within a minute there is a song, and then we are expected to share airplay royalties," said Mukundu.
"In countries like the United States and South Korea, there are already restrictions around AI-generated music and awards."
Arts critic and cultural promoter Plot Mhako said the impact of AI on Zimbabwe's music landscape is already evident, with some of the country's most popular recent songs being produced using artificial intelligence.
"AI music disruption has been real. Some of the biggest songs in Zimbabwe have been made using AI technology," Mhako said.
"People still want that human experience, that human feel, and it would be unfortunate to include one hundred percent AI-generated music on charts and playlists."
However, some experts believe the industry should focus on adaptation rather than resistance, arguing that technological innovation has historically reshaped creative industries.
HLGM music producer Marvin Ncube said artists should embrace AI as a tool that can enhance creativity rather than view it solely as a threat.
"Rather than fighting AI, let us adopt it. We cannot fight technology. It is up to us to work with it and involve it in our creative process," he said.
Artificial intelligence expert Dr Dennis Magaya echoed those sentiments, arguing that the technology's impact will depend largely on how it is used.
"If someone uses AI as a tool, the music belongs to the musician. But if you simply prompt AI to create everything, ownership becomes very difficult," said Dr Magaya.
He said Zimbabwe's immediate priority should be equipping creatives with the skills needed to leverage AI effectively while gradually introducing regulations to address emerging concerns.
"I think for a country like Zimbabwe, the biggest focus should not be regulation first, but helping artists and musicians learn to use AI as a tool. It has both advantages and disadvantages, and if we put restrictions before our creatives have had the opportunity to benefit from those advantages, they risk being left behind," he said.
"What we need is to equip artists to work with AI while gradually putting in place safeguards around issues like consent, copyright and disclosure. Zimbabwe needs to begin putting in place guidelines around disclosure, consent and copyright protection."
As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the global music industry, Zimbabwe's creative sector faces the challenge of balancing technological innovation with the protection of artistic integrity, intellectual property and the livelihoods of human creators.
The debate is expected to intensify as AI-generated content becomes more sophisticated and accessible, forcing policymakers, industry bodies and artists to rethink long-standing definitions of creativity and authorship in the digital age.
As technology-driven music gains popularity on digital platforms, artists, producers and industry stakeholders are grappling with questions about how AI-created works should fit into traditional music structures, including airplay, awards and royalty distribution.
Songs such as Ndakainamatira and Mwari Aripo have emerged as examples of AI-generated music gaining significant traction online, highlighting changing listener preferences and the growing influence of artificial intelligence in music production.
While audiences have embraced some of these productions, concerns are mounting among musicians who argue that AI-generated works should not compete directly with music created through human effort and artistic expression.
Musician and producer Mono Mukundu said the rise of AI-generated music presents a fairness challenge for artists who invest substantial time and resources into creating original content.
"It is very unfair for you to spend two weeks creating a song and then someone just types on a computer and within a minute there is a song, and then we are expected to share airplay royalties," said Mukundu.
"In countries like the United States and South Korea, there are already restrictions around AI-generated music and awards."
Arts critic and cultural promoter Plot Mhako said the impact of AI on Zimbabwe's music landscape is already evident, with some of the country's most popular recent songs being produced using artificial intelligence.
"AI music disruption has been real. Some of the biggest songs in Zimbabwe have been made using AI technology," Mhako said.
"People still want that human experience, that human feel, and it would be unfortunate to include one hundred percent AI-generated music on charts and playlists."
However, some experts believe the industry should focus on adaptation rather than resistance, arguing that technological innovation has historically reshaped creative industries.
HLGM music producer Marvin Ncube said artists should embrace AI as a tool that can enhance creativity rather than view it solely as a threat.
"Rather than fighting AI, let us adopt it. We cannot fight technology. It is up to us to work with it and involve it in our creative process," he said.
Artificial intelligence expert Dr Dennis Magaya echoed those sentiments, arguing that the technology's impact will depend largely on how it is used.
"If someone uses AI as a tool, the music belongs to the musician. But if you simply prompt AI to create everything, ownership becomes very difficult," said Dr Magaya.
He said Zimbabwe's immediate priority should be equipping creatives with the skills needed to leverage AI effectively while gradually introducing regulations to address emerging concerns.
"I think for a country like Zimbabwe, the biggest focus should not be regulation first, but helping artists and musicians learn to use AI as a tool. It has both advantages and disadvantages, and if we put restrictions before our creatives have had the opportunity to benefit from those advantages, they risk being left behind," he said.
"What we need is to equip artists to work with AI while gradually putting in place safeguards around issues like consent, copyright and disclosure. Zimbabwe needs to begin putting in place guidelines around disclosure, consent and copyright protection."
As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the global music industry, Zimbabwe's creative sector faces the challenge of balancing technological innovation with the protection of artistic integrity, intellectual property and the livelihoods of human creators.
The debate is expected to intensify as AI-generated content becomes more sophisticated and accessible, forcing policymakers, industry bodies and artists to rethink long-standing definitions of creativity and authorship in the digital age.
Source - ZBC
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