Nyambi observed a mix of excitement and anxiety among Zimbabwean creatives as AI adoption accelerates, with ongoing debates about copyright and award eligibility, including standards like Grammys requiring meaningful human contribution.

Panelists included Grammy-winning artist Matt B, Zimbabwean guitarist Clive “Mono” Mukundu, cultural manager Keith Kuhudzai, gospel musician Joshua Mtima, and moderator Usher Nyambi, who highlighted both risks and opportunities of AI in music.

Mtima urged responsible AI use to enhance creativity, sharing his practice of releasing both AI-assisted and live versions to illustrate differences, with live performances often resonating more with audiences.

The discussion reflected a global trend: AI is a present reality in music affecting production, distribution, and monetisation, underscoring the need for regional collaboration to protect local music and cultural identity.

Matt B. called for regulation of AI to preserve human authenticity, warning that unchecked use could erode the heart of music as global institutions move toward human-first creative frameworks.

A U.S. Embassy–hosted panel in Harare examined how artificial intelligence is reshaping music in Zimbabwe and across the globe, raising questions about authenticity, copyright protection, and the future of human creativity.

Mukundu warned that untrained individuals could impersonate musicians using AI, advocating for AI as a collaborative tool and proposing broadcasters create separate categories for AI-generated music to protect traditional artists.

Journalists and media figures highlighted Africa’s broader exposure to global AI investment in music, noting vulnerabilities from weak IP systems and digital infrastructure and the tension between artistic integrity and profitability for broadcasters and labels.

Kuhudzai argued that AI could streamline rights management, royalty tracking, and metadata digitization in Zimbabwe, stressing digitised rights and transparency to prevent revenue losses for artists.

James Carey urged Zimbabwe to engage policymakers now to influence future global AI standards, stressing that African input is essential for intellectual property, cultural preservation, and digital rights frameworks.