Highlife musician Afriyie, formerly one-half of the popular duo Wutah, has urged organisers of music awards in Ghana to introduce a dedicated category for songs generated by Artificial Intelligence (AI).
In a Facebook post on January 8, Afriyie wrote: “Going forward, I think music awards organisers should have a category for ‘AI’ Generated songs. The sense plenty for the system.”
The suggestion has ignited debate among industry stakeholders and fans, with opinions divided on the growing influence of AI in music creation. Some argue that AI tools undermine human creativity, while others view them as an inevitable and valuable part of the future of the art form.
The role of AI in Ghana’s music scene has become increasingly prominent, prompting questions about authenticity, authorship, and recognition. Similar discussions are taking place globally. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which organises the Oscars, recently confirmed that films using AI remain eligible for awards as long as human creative control is clearly demonstrated and AI does not replace human authorship.
Afriyie’s proposal raises broader questions for Ghanaian award schemes, including the Telecel Ghana Music Awards, which has historically adapted its categories to reflect evolving musical trends. Industry observers are now asking how such schemes will handle entries in categories like Songwriter of the Year when lyrics or compositions are produced by AI tools.
As individuals and producers increasingly experiment with AI-generated artistes and tracks, the conversation around integrating or separating machine-assisted music is expected to intensify.
By Ralph Waldo Emerson
