KUCHING: Artificial intelligence (AI) should be embraced as a useful tool but never allowed to replace human creativity, according to members of British acid jazz group Incognito.
Speaking ahead of the band’s headline performance on the final day of the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) 2026 at the Sarawak Cultural Village on Sunday, founder and band leader Jean-Paul “Bluey” Maunick said AI is part of today’s reality, but its use must be balanced with genuine human expression.
“AI is a reality, and it’s a progression of what human beings are able to do,” he said during a press conference.
Maunick said every technological advancement carries both opportunities and risks, and AI should be used responsibly rather than becoming a substitute for imagination and originality.
“Use AI, but also teach your children to have their own creativity and their own vision, and tell their own stories. If everybody just takes shortcuts, we’re doomed,” he said.
Vocalist Chloe shared a similar view, saying AI has its place but should never replace genuine human connection.
“I lean more towards humanity and reality. It’s important for us to connect, not just through our music, but as human beings. As songwriters and musicians, it’s important for us to create and not rely on another entity,” she said.
Bassist Francis Hylton said the technology has increasingly been used as a replacement for creativity instead of supporting it.
“I think people are using it as a replacement or a proxy for creativity. You can spot AI-generated tunes, and after a while, they start to get tedious. We don’t need to do this,” he said.
Drummer Francesco Mendolia echoed the sentiment, saying years of learning and practising music should not be overshadowed by technology that offers instant shortcuts.
Concluding the discussion, Maunick said technology should complement, rather than define, creativity.
“It’s my picture. It’s my emotion, it’s my feeling, it’s my touch, it’s my signature,” he said.
