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Beyond the Algorithm: African Musical Creativity in the Age of AI

The Wits Innovation Centre (WIC), in partnership with the Machine Intelligence & Neural Discovery (MIND) Institute at Wits University, is piloting a first‑of‑its‑kind initiative exploring how African musical creativity can shape the future of artificial intelligence. Five multidisciplinary artist–engineer teams are now deep into prototype development, creating culturally grounded, technically ambitious tools and musical experiments rooted in African sounds, languages and knowledge systems.

African musics continue to challenge assumptions built into today’s largely Western‑trained AI systems. This project responds by supporting creators working across music‑making, archiving, education, performance, preservation and tool development.

 

Meet the Project Teams

Joshua Kroon (Cameroon) & Emmanuel Apetsi (Ghana) Project: The Bɛ̀bɛ̀i Engine — a performative AI instrument co‑created with the Baka community to preserve endangered polyphonic vocal traditions
Linda Nyabundi (Kenya) & Gebregziabihier Nigusie (Ethiopia) Project: Heritage in Code — a digital archive and AI‑fusion tool preserving African instrumental heritage while enabling contributor royalties
Umlilo (South Africa) & Gideon Gyimah (Ghana) Project: Zazi — a “musical digital twin” enabling real‑time voice, rhythm and storytelling interaction
Ehinome Ogbeide (Nigeria) & Muhigiri Ashuza Albin (DRC) Project: Bina.ai — an early‑learning children’s music and storytelling platform powered by African rhythms and multimodal AI
Tora Nyamosi (Kenya) & Lawrence (Kenya) Project: TIMah AI — a secure, community‑governed digital archive documenting Kikuyu traditional music with transcription and workflow tools

 

Selection Panel & Technical Advisors

  • The programme’s adjudication and advisory group comprises leaders in African music, technology, research and innovation. These panelists bring expertise across cultural entrepreneurship, AI systems, digital rights, preservation, music ecosystems, and community‑centred design:

    • Prof Ritesh Ajoodha (South Africa) — Explainable AI specialist and Wits MIND Fellow
    • Tresor Riziki (Congo/South Africa) — Award‑winning artist and industry leader
    • Jarrod Assenheim (South Africa) — Founder & CEO, Audlytics / Radiomonitor SA
    • Babusi Nyoni (Zimbabwe/South Africa) — Creative technologist and social innovator
    • Ade Adetunji (Nigeria) — Commercial Partnerships, Audiomack
    • Martha Huro (Kenya) — Music business leader (former MD, Boomplay EA)
    • Richard Muranda (Zimbabwe) — Scholar in digital preservation of African music
    • Aleksandra Teng Ma (USA) — Music AI researcher (Georgia Tech / MIT)