Generative Artificial Intelligence, Musical Heritage and the Construction of Peace Narratives: A Case Study in Mali

TL;DR

This paper investigates how generative AI can be used to create music that promotes peace and cultural heritage in Mali, emphasizing local languages and traditions to foster social cohesion.

Contribution

It demonstrates the potential of culturally conscious AI tools to support peacebuilding and cultural preservation through musical co-creation in Mali.

Findings

Gen AI can serve as a catalyst for symbolic diplomacy.

AI-assisted music can amplify local voices and cultural authenticity.

Challenges include linguistic data scarcity and ethical concerns.

Abstract

This study explores the capacity of generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) to contribute to the construction of peace narratives and the revitalization of musical heritage in Mali. The study has been made in a political and social context where inter-community tensions and social fractures motivate a search for new symbolic frameworks for reconciliation. The study empirically explores three questions: (1) how Gen AI can be used as a tool for musical creation rooted in national languages and traditions; (2) to what extent Gen AI systems enable a balanced hybridization between technological innovation and cultural authenticity; and (3) how AI-assisted musical co-creation can strengthen social cohesion and cultural sovereignty. The experimental results suggest that Gen AI, embedded in a culturally conscious participatory framework, can act as a catalyst for symbolic diplomacy, amplifying local voices instead of standardizing them. However, challenges persist regarding the availability of linguistic corpora, algorithmic censorship, and the ethics of generating compositions derived from copyrighted sources.