By Jimmy Chazama:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has not spared the making of music, with actors in the industry saying there is a need to utilise it carefully.
The development follows Copyright Society of Malawi (Cosoma)’s issuance of a statement on Monday, when it said it does not register or pay royalties for works created by AI.
This also follows an influx of AI-generated music in the country.
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Cosoma says in a statement that the Copyright Act of 2016 was passed before the rise of generative AI, hence it does not cover such works.
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It says copyright is meant to protect human creativity, skill and originality.
Cosoma says it is now following global discussions and, when the need arises, it may review its position on the issue.
Producer and musician Praise Umali said the coming in of AI had, apart from diluting music, affected the studio business.
“Most artists now opt for AI to generate beats and then record voices over them. It has made things simpler but, on the other side, it needs not replace creativity and the human touch,” the ‘Ku Tiyeni’ star said.
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Dancehall musician Malinga Mafia said talent would always outshine machine-generated music.
“AI can create songs or instruments but authentic music is easy to detect. It lacks the human feel and that is why producers are moving back to live instruments. Raw talent is still gold,” he said.
Gulugufe, who uses AI in his music, told ‘Kulinji’ programme on Times Radio yesterday that human talent remained central.
“AI does not work or generate ideas on its own. AI is not bad; it only helps you out,” the artist said.
He said his trending song ‘Ndili Single’ was mature, replete with a local touch, despite being AI generated.
“So, we call upon Cosoma and the government to consider rewarding AI-generated music as part of protection,” Agulugufe said.
Musicians Union of Malawi (Mum) President Vita Chirwa said AI should be recognised as a tool that assists creators and not as a creator or rights holder.
“We should not undermine AI. We need to use it to assist artists. Humans who are using it should get royalties, at least not as much as human creators,” Chirwa said.
Former Mum president Bishop Reverend Chimwemwe Mhango said there were detectors that could identify AI-generated music and urged Cosoma to engage international bodies on the issue.
“I think, as time goes, there will be some changes to consider humans who use AI in making music,” Mhango said.
However, the ‘Linda’ and ‘Chiuta Muwemi’ creator said musicians should not deeply rely on AI-generated songs as it creates laziness.
He said there was a need to play it safe.
