By Rahim Abdul
The MASO Awards Board has announced that AI-generated music and AI-generated artists will not be eligible for nomination or recognition at the MASO Awards until further notice.
In a press release issued on July 20, 2026, the board said the decision was made to protect and celebrate authentic human creativity, talent and artistic expression while acknowledging the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the creative industry.
The board noted that AI is becoming an important tool in music and other creative fields and has the potential to enhance artistic production when used responsibly.
However, MASO Awards stressed that AI should serve as a tool to support artists rather than replace human creativity.
As a result, any music created entirely through AI, as well as AI-generated artists, will not qualify for nominations or awards under the current policy.
The organizers said their primary focus remains on recognizing musicians and creatives whose work reflects genuine human talent and artistic effort.
The board also emphasized that the policy is not permanent and could be reviewed as AI technology and the creative industry continue to evolve.
According to the statement, MASO Awards will continue monitoring developments in artificial intelligence before making any future changes to its eligibility rules.
The announcement comes at a time when the use of AI in music production is increasing globally, raising debates over originality, copyright, and the future of creative industries.
