Benon Mugumbya Urges Artists to Use AI as a Tool, Not a Replacement for Creativity
Swangz Avenue co-founder and acclaimed music producer Benon Mugumbya has shared his thoughts on the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) in music, encouraging creatives to embrace the technology without allowing it to replace genuine human creativity.
Speaking during an interview with CGTN Africa, Benon described AI as one of the most exciting tools available to musicians today, saying it has significantly simplified parts of his creative process.
However, he stressed that while AI can generate impressive results in a matter of minutes, it still lacks the emotional depth that makes music truly resonate with listeners.
For Benon, the future of music lies in combining technology with authentic artistic expression rather than choosing one over the other.
AI Has Changed the Way Benon Creates Music
During the interview, Benon spoke openly about how artificial intelligence has become part of his workflow as both an artist and producer.
He explained that AI is capable of generating musical ideas from simple prompts, dramatically reducing the time it takes to develop concepts.
“Imagine something as simple as a slight melody. I can prompt and tell AI to create something, and within a minute or two, I have a full song,” Benon said.
He described the technology as an incredible creative tool, adding that it continues to surprise him with what it can accomplish.
“It’s an incredible tool that has become part of my work, and it continues to amaze me each day with the things it does.”
Despite his admiration for AI’s capabilities, Benon emphasized that speed and efficiency should not come at the expense of originality.
‘Don’t Lose the Human Touch’
While acknowledging AI’s strengths, Benon said experienced musicians can still recognize music that has been created almost entirely by artificial intelligence.
According to him, AI-generated songs often sound technically polished but lack the emotional imperfections that give music its character.
“I can easily identify an AI song; it has that really fine sound, so crystal clear, perfect vocals. At the moment, it’s still missing that soul.”
He encouraged fellow creatives to use AI as a supporting tool instead of relying on it to produce complete projects.
“When you decide to use it, it should just help you to develop and build on what you already have. Don’t go 100% all out with it so that we don’t lose that human touch.”
For Benon, technology should amplify creativity—not replace the artist behind it.
Benon Mugumbya is one of Uganda’s most respected music producers, songwriters, and the co-founder of Swangz Avenue, a record label that has played a major role in shaping Uganda’s contemporary music scene.
Over the years, he has produced and written songs for numerous successful artists while helping launch the careers of some of the country’s biggest stars.
As AI-powered music tools become increasingly accessible, conversations about their role in songwriting, production, and performance have intensified across the global music industry.
Why It Matters
Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how music is written, produced, and distributed, offering artists new ways to experiment with sound and streamline production.
At the same time, many musicians continue to debate how much technology should influence creative work.
Benon’s perspective reflects a growing view within the industry that AI can enhance efficiency and spark ideas, but human emotion, storytelling, and artistic identity remain essential ingredients in memorable music.
Human Angle
Benon’s comments reveal the mindset of a producer who embraces innovation without abandoning the values that built his career.
Rather than resisting new technology, he believes artists should learn to work alongside it while preserving the authenticity that connects music with listeners.
His message is one of balance: let technology inspire creativity, but never allow it to replace the human heart behind every song.
As AI continues to reshape the music industry, Benon Mugumbya believes the strongest songs will still be those where technology supports creativity instead of overshadowing it.