Sierra Leone's music industry: AI writes the songs, but who owns them?

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming Sierra Leone's music industry. Artists are gaining new creative tools, but the technology also raises difficult questions about originality, ownership, and copyright. Musicians can now use AI to generate beats, write lyrics, and even mimic voices. This speeds up production and lowers costs, allowing more people to create music without formal training. However, the rise of AI-generated content has sparked a legal gray area. If a machine writes a song, who holds the copyright? Many Sierra Leonean artists worry that their unique sounds could be replicated without permission or payment. Industry experts are calling for clear rules. Without them, the country's vibrant music scene risks losing both its cultural identity and the financial rewards for human creators.