Wits University has unveiled five AI-powered music projects developed by African artists and engineers to promote creative sovereignty, cultural preservation, and innovation. The initiative empowers African creators to shape AI technologies while protecting local artistic traditions.
By: Joseph James Udoh | Columnist | WBN NEWS Africa / Nashville | June 3, 2026
The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) has unveiled five groundbreaking artificial intelligence-powered music projects designed by African artists and engineers, marking a significant step toward strengthening creative ownership and preserving cultural heritage in the rapidly evolving age of AI.
The projects were showcased during the inaugural AI & Africa Music (AIAM) Project event held at Wits University's Chris Seabrooke Music Hall in Johannesburg. Led by the Wits Innovation Centre (WIC) in partnership with the Wits Machine Intelligence and Neural Discovery (MIND) Institute, the initiative brings together musicians, technologists, researchers, and innovators from across Africa to explore how AI can serve the continent's creative industries.
At the heart of the programme is the concept of "creative sovereignty", the belief that African creators and communities should maintain control over how their artistic works, cultural knowledge, languages, and traditions are represented and used in emerging AI technologies.
Professor Christo Doherty, who leads the project through the Wits Innovation Centre, highlighted the transformative potential of the initiative.
“Artificial Intelligence offers tremendous possibilities for African musicians,”
said Doherty.
“The Wits AI and African Music project created an opportunity for African musicians to work together with African AI engineers to explore these possibilities through creative collaboration and knowledge sharing.”
The five selected teams emerged from a highly competitive process that attracted more than 150 applicants from over 20 African countries. Their projects span a range of areas, including music creation, cultural preservation, education, and digital archiving.
Among the standout innovations is ZAZI, a "musical digital twin" developed by South African multidisciplinary artist Umlilo and Ghanaian AI engineer Gideon Gyimah. The platform enables users to engage through voice, rhythm, and storytelling while generating music using multilingual prompts and African-inspired musical elements.
Beyond technological innovation, the showcase sparked important conversations around music rights, cultural preservation, and creative ownership. Participants noted that the initiative demonstrates how African institutions can help shape global discussions about the future relationship between technology and culture.
As AI continues to reshape the global music landscape, the AIAM initiative positions African creators not merely as consumers of technology, but as architects of tools built around local languages, identities, and artistic traditions. With projects like these gaining momentum, Africa's creative future appears increasingly capable of balancing innovation with cultural preservation, opening new opportunities for generations of artists to come.
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Joseph James Udoh is the Editor in Chief for WBN News Africa.
He covers local stories, business insights, and inspiring human-interest topics.
With a background in Computer Science, Theology/Intercultural Studies, and a Honorarium in Human Resource Management, he is passionate about digital empowerment and helping people thrive.
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