Filipino artists raise concerns over AI-generated songs

Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer confined to visual art, as it is increasingly making its way into the music industry, with tools now capable of generating songs and mimicking singers’ voices and styles—a development that some musicians view with concern.

For members of the rising OPM band Fitterkarma, whose songs have gained traction online and become soundtracks to posts filled with “kilig” and heartbreak, the growing popularity of AI-generated music has raised concerns.

“Nakakatakot kasi medyo tunog tao siya. Pwedeng mapagkamalang totoo 'yan," said band member Joao de Leon in an interview for the "Artificial Obra" special report on the "State of the Nation."

(It's scary because it sounds a lot like a human. It can be mistaken as real.)

They worry that AI-generated copies could undermine years of effort.

“If someone will search on a music platform for the very first time, baka yun yung mapakinggan nila instead of the original one," said bassist Sophia Miranda.

(If someone searches on a music platform for the very first time, they might end up listening to that instead of the original song.)

“Pinagtatrabuhan mo yung art, tapos biglang may AI na lang na sobrang dali lang gawin," said guitarist Lory Mendoza.

(You work hard on your art, then suddenly an AI can create something similar so easily.)

The concern is even greater for independent and underground artists still trying to gain recognition.

Among them is Tom Tagra, a musician, composer, and vocalist who worries that AI-generated music could reduce opportunities for emerging creators to be heard.

“Sana maisip nila na sa paggawa nila ng AI music, yung mga pangarap ng mga songwriters everywhere ay naapektuhan nila," he said.

(I hope people realize that in creating AI music, they are affecting the dreams of songwriters everywhere.)

While AI can imitate voices and musical styles, Tagra believes it cannot replicate the emotions behind a song.

“Mahalaga ’yung emotions at personal experience sa pagsusulat. In that sense, magkakaroon ka ng inspiration to write songs. Hindi naman tutugtog ang AI ng live in front of you at mararamdaman mo ’yung same na emotions,” he said.

(Emotions and personal experiences are important in songwriting. They inspire people to write songs. AI will never perform live in front of you and make you feel the same emotions.)

The same view is shared by the Philippine Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (FILSCAP).

“Generative AI can mimic human works because they were trained on human works. There is something that AI machines could not take away from your work, and it is lived experience," FILSCAP general counsel Atty. Ivan Viktor Mendez said.

Mendez also said that fully AI-generated songs currently do not enjoy copyright protection under Philippine law.

“If you are using prompts, meaning you’re telling the AI, ‘Can you make a song in the style of ABC?’ that is called a fully generated AI work, and it doesn’t have copyright. Kasi under our law, only natural persons can be authors, and only authors can have copyright (Under Philippine law, only natural persons can be authors, and only authors can have copyright). So if it’s coming from a machine, it doesn’t have any copyright," he said.

As technology continues to transform how music is created and consumed, musicians are urging the public to continue supporting human artists.

“Suportahan mo yung mga kaibigan mo na nagsa-start pa lang gumawa ng music. Malay mo, siya na yung susunod na greatest hit," Miranda said.

(Support your friends who are just starting to create music. You never know, they might be the next great hit.) — VBL, GMA News