Artificial intelligence has become one of the biggest talking points in the creative industry, but soca icon Machel Montano says he isn’t worried about what the future holds.
Speaking about the growing role of AI in music, Montano revealed that artificial intelligence is already making its way into soca, pointing to three of this year’s top songs.
“There are AI elements in three of the top soca songs running this year Encore, Woman and Rum, and Bunji Garlin,” he said.
According to Montano, the conversation shouldn’t focus on whether AI is being used, but rather on how it is is being used and whether artists continue to bring their own creativity and authenticity to the music.
“The one thing we won’t be able to replace is the essence of the human being,” he said, explaining that while technology can assist the creative process, it cannot replace genuine human expression.
Montano also noted that AI has been a part of everyday life for years, even if many people are only now beginning to notice it.
“Every time you look up something on Google, you’re using AI. We’ve been using AI a long time. I don’t know why everybody is listening now,” he remarked.
When asked whether he was concerned that artificial intelligence could one day replace him as an artist, the Grammy-winning performer responded with humour.
“If AI take my job, I will say, ‘Thank you, AI.’ I could go and plant yam. Or I could go and plant peas. Or I could go and do more meditation, yoga. Take a little break. Let AI do my job for a minute.”
The lighthearted response quickly became one of the standout moments of the conversation, but it also reflected Montano’s broader perspective on technology and creativity. Rather than seeing AI as something to fear, he believes it can be another tool for artists, provided the human element remains at the centre of the creative process.
As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries around the world, its influence on music production, songwriting and audio creation is expected to grow. For Montano, however, the soul of music will always come from the people behind it.
And if AI ever does take over completely, he says he’s perfectly content with a simpler backup plan: planting yam.
Machel Montano: “If AI Takes My Job, I’ll Plant Yam”
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