KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 21 — Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology may be able to generate melodies and lyrics for songwriting, but it still lacks the element of emotion – the “soul” of a musical work.

Renowned composer and producer Helen Yap believes that while AI can provide ideas, it cannot replicate the authenticity and sensitivity of human creativity in the artistic process.

“When a song is created entirely by AI and then claimed as someone’s own work, you can tell it’s not human because it sounds stiff, as if made by a robot.

“I was once a judge for an online songwriting competition where a participant submitted it as original work. When checked using a special application, it was confirmed to be AI-generated, so we had to disqualify the entry,” she told Bernama recently.

Yap, who has composed for many famous singers including Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza, Liza Hanim, Anuar Zain, Ernie Zakri and Shila Amzah, said overreliance on technology could weaken a songwriter’s creative drive and undermine the authenticity of their work.

“Now, everyone wants things fast. They want to compose songs quickly, to gain popularity quickly. But a good piece of work requires time, discipline, and heart,” she said.

With over three decades of experience in the music industry, Yap noted that changes in listeners’ preferences and focus have inevitably altered how songs are created today.

“In the past, songs could have long intros, even a two-minute guitar solo, but not anymore. Radio prefers three-minute tracks to allow space for advertisements. If a song is too long, DJs will cut it – sometimes in crucial parts,” she said.

To her, this doesn’t mean the artistic value of music has diminished, but rather that composers must adapt to new tastes without sacrificing quality.

“We must understand the industry reality. Listeners today want everything fast, but we can still create songs that are fresh, relevant, and soulful,” she said.

In another development, Yap is back working with two talented singers, Sharizan Borhan and Idayu Yaakob, through the Inspirasi 2025 project, supported by MyCreative Ventures and the Ministry of Communications.

Through this special project, the Berklee College of Music (Boston, USA) graduate has produced the singles Setiap Detik and The Only One sung by Sharizan, as well as Aku Juara performed by Idayu.

“I want to show that they are still relevant and incredibly talented. Their dedication to understanding the message of each song truly inspires me,” she said. — Bernama