Africa's Artists Battle AI's Copycat Threat

Delegates at the Atlantic Music Expo in Cape Verde recently addressed the growing opportunities and challenges presented by AI in the music industry, especially for African artists. Discussions highlighted concerns over AI-generated music plagiarizing artists' work, a risk amplified in regions with less robust intellectual property protections. This situation mirrors broader anxieties surrounding deepfakes, even impacting national policy development as seen with South Africa's withdrawn AI policy.

Benito Lopes, the expo's director, stated the event aimed to equip performers with knowledge to "explore [AI] the best way without losing their human identity and their creativity." Cape Verde's culture minister, Augusto Jorge de Albuquerque Veiga, stressed the importance of working with AI rather than being overtaken by it, asserting that "AI will never cover what's authentic." Veiga is actively seeking funding for the arts, given the culture ministry's limited budget.

Many attendees noted that AI-driven tools for mixing, mastering, and marketing can help independent artists with limited budgets compete internationally. Entrepreneurs emphasized that AI is a tool to augment, not replace, human talent. José Moura, co-founder of Sona, explained how their AI is built on local music to preserve uniqueness, preventing homogenization and empowering artists from the global south.

Performers like Brazil's Sambaiana and veteran singer Patche di Rima underscored the irreplaceable value of human emotion and live interaction. While acknowledging AI's potential to enhance production, they affirmed that technology cannot substitute the genuine feeling and connection created by human artists on stage. The expo sought to bridge continents while celebrating live music's enduring significance.