Topic analysis

‘It will never cover what’s authentic’: African music industry weighs up AI risks and rewards

Delegates at the 2026 Atlantic Music Expo in Cape Verde explored the opportunities and risks of artificial intelligence (AI) for the African music industry. They noted AI tools can empower indie artists with affordable production and marketing support, but cannot replace authentic human talent; concerns include weak intellectual property protection in many African markets, while examples like Nigerian singer Fave reclaiming an unauthorised AI remix and Cape Verde's culture minister advocating for collaborative use of AI highlight proactive approaches to the technology.