Isa said while AI can help generate ideas, the ‘soul’ of music must still come from humans, especially in preserving the cultural identity of Sarawak’s diverse communities.
KUCHING (May 8): The Persatuan Anak Seni Iban Malaysia (Pasima) wants local musicians to treat artificial intelligence (AI) as a creative aid rather than a substitute for human originality.
Its president Isa Lee said while AI can help generate ideas, the ‘soul’ of music must still come from humans, especially in preserving the cultural identity of Sarawak’s diverse communities.
“We can use AI, but we must be the ones controlling it — not the other way around. The spirit and authenticity of a song must remain human,” he said.
He said this when met after attending a briefing on the Standard Operating Procedures for Censorship and Evaluation of Local and Ethnic Songs (PPLTE) by Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) Sarawak here.
Isa admitted that many in the local music scene are still uncertain about AI’s role, and whether it should be viewed as a threat or a collaborator.
“But what is important is that the work we produce must reflect our own identity — Iban, Bidayuh, or Orang Ulu,” he stressed.
He also cautioned musicians against misrepresenting AI-generated content as their own, noting that detection tools are increasingly capable of identifying such works.
“If you are not honest and your work is detected as AI-generated, you risk losing your royalties and intellectual property. So be transparent — declare what is yours and what is not.”
On submissions to RTM, Isa said broadcasters are placing emphasis on originality and quality, adding that songs found to be heavily AI-generated may not be accepted.
“RTM wants quality works before the song gets approved for airplay. That’s what we were told at the briefing, which was also attended by other associations representing artistes, composers and owners of recording companies,” he said.
He also said producers and recording companies must be more discerning when selecting singers, as mismatched performances can affect a song’s reception.
“You cannot ask someone suited for one genre to perform another that doesn’t fit them. That’s where some songs fail.
“Many submissions are rejected not because the song is bad, but because the voice does not match the style,” he added.
On lyrical content, Isa said dialects are acceptable for broadcast if they are recognised and widely understood within their respective communities, but stressed the significance of well-crafted lyrics in enhancing a song’s quality.
He reiterated that while technology continues to evolve, the foundation of music ― creativity, honesty and cultural identity ― must remain intact.
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