BUJUMBURA, September 6 (BC) – The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing creative industries worldwide. Film, music, images, and writing: content produced by artists is now being used to train AI models, often without consent or compensation. At the Internet Governance Forum 2025, held in Lillestrøm, Norway, American actor and producer Joseph Gordon-Levitt raised the alarm about this phenomenon.
“Your digital identity should belong to you. The data that humans produce – our writings, our voices, our relationships, our experiences, and our ideas – should belong to us. And any economic value generated from this data should be shared with the people who produce it,” he stated. He believes that allowing corporations to solely guide the development of artificial intelligence represents a major risk. “We cannot entrust such powerful technology solely to market forces and a few private companies accountable only to their shareholders,” he warned.
This global debate is even resonating within artistic circles in Burundi.
An opportunity, but also a threat
In Bujumbura, actor and director Arthur Banshayeko observes the arrival of AI with caution. For him, the technology can offer opportunities. “It’s primarily an opportunity because information has become much more accessible than before. This also pushes artists to delve deeper into their thinking and strive for greater quality,” he explains.
But this accessibility can also have the opposite effect: “People who dislike working will make things easier for themselves and ask everything of artificial intelligence. This can kill human labor and the human element of creation,” he adds.
Tools already used by some artists
In practice, some professionals in the field are already using AI in their work. Arthur Banshayeko explains that these tools are particularly useful for designing visuals or improving certain texts. “I create my own content. But I also use artificial intelligence to enrich the language or explore certain ideas in greater depth,” he says.
However, he fears a negative consequence: the gradual disappearance of creative effort. “Today, everyone is looking for speed, for ‘quick fixes.’ If a machine can produce in a click what used to take a week of work, many people will stop thinking and creating,” he asserts.
The fear of a loss of human creativity
According to Banshayeko, the danger goes beyond the purely technical aspect. It represents a profound shift in the way we think: “Little by little, people will lose the courage to think and create. Instead of asking themselves questions, they will ask the machine,” he believes. He also fears a loss of confidence in human capabilities. “We risk believing more in artificial intelligence than in our own capacity to imagine and create.”
Copyright Challenge
Beyond creativity, the issue of copyright also worries artists. According to Banshayeko, AI makes protecting works more difficult. “Today, someone can generate a video or content very similar to an existing work. And yet, they can claim it’s an AI-generated creation,” he explains.
This situation, he believes, can weaken the protection of artists. “AI-generated content is often less expensive and more accessible. Consumers readily choose it. But this content is often inspired by human-created works.”
The Need for Compensation
Faced with this phenomenon, this artist argues for recognition of human work. “When artificial intelligence draws inspiration from human-created content, there should be some form of compensation,” he suggests.
However, he believes this issue transcends the scope of a single country. It should be discussed at the regional and international levels. “Discussions are needed amongst content creators, technology companies, consumers, and policymakers to find a balance,” he argues.
“AI remains a tool”
For video editor Olivier Nkengurutse, artificial intelligence should not be seen as a replacement for humans: “Artificial intelligence will in no way replace human intelligence,” he asserts.
He indicates that these technologies can accelerate certain tasks. He cites, by way of illustration, editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro, which now integrates AI functions: “The automatic subtitles generated with a single click are impressive. They save us time. But they don’t replace our eye or our attention to detail,” he explains.
The lack of regulation is worrying
Like other professionals, Nkengurutse is concerned about the lack of a regulatory framework. “Without clear rules, some could use AI to manipulate, spread misinformation, or undermine certain social values,” he warns. In his view, the goal is not to hinder progress. “It’s not about stifling innovation. It’s about providing a framework and ensuring that humans remain at the center,” he insists.
A global debate that begins in Burundi
The concerns expressed by these artists echo those raised on the international stage. For Joseph Gordon-Levitt, the fundamental question remains that of data ownership and the economic value generated by AI. Without clear rules, he warns, these technologies could reinforce the concentration of power in the hands of a few large corporations. In a context where human content feeds artificial intelligence systems, the question becomes central: who should benefit from the value created by these technologies?
For Burundian artists, the answer is clear: content creators must not be left behind in the artificial intelligence revolution.
By Jean de Dieu Ndikumasabo