2026-05 – The world is adapting to AI use in music – Africa needs to take the lead

Source Domain: www.wits.ac.za

On 29 May 2026, Wits University hosted a showcase of five artist-engineer teams involved in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) and African Music project.
The event was a collaboration between the Wits Innovation Centre (WIC) and the Machine Intelligence & Neural Discovery (MIND) Institute, exploring how African musical creativity can shape AI in Africa.
US-based philanthropist and music executive Charles Goldstuck highlighted that while AI has enabled rapid advances in music, particularly through generative models, African voices remain underrepresented in these developments.
Teams participating in the project came from seven African countries including Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and South Africa, showcasing a rich blend of disciplines, cultures, and insights.
The focus was on using AI to preserve and re-create traditional African music, promoting creative sovereignty in the AI space for the continent.
During the panel discussion, experts stressed the need for greater local engagement and control over the global distribution and monetization of AI-generated music, particularly to safeguard indigenous African work.
There was optimism that Africa can lead in developing AI technologies, emphasizing that policy-makers must keep up with the rapid pace of technological change to foster this new era in Africa.

You may have missed