The viral "Hawak Mo Ang Beat" dance trend recently sparked a massive debate: was the track created by a human or an algorithm? While creator DJ Mogo has denied using artificial intelligence, the confusion prompted Sherwin Pelayo, executive director of the Analytics & Artificial Intelligence Association of the Philippines (AAIAP), to weigh in on the technology's inevitable rise. Pelayo told ABS-CBN News that the industry has reached a point where listeners can no longer easily tell the difference, making a shift in creative strategy urgent.

Rather than trying to stop the technology, Pelayo argues that the focus must move toward protecting and rewarding the humans behind the hits. He is calling for strict transparency, requiring AI developers to disclose exactly which songs were used to train their models. Pelayo also noted that the Intellectual Property Office needs to develop new licensing mechanisms to ensure value is distributed fairly when AI "learns" from millions of artists to create new sounds.

Despite the risks of displacement in technical areas like beat-making and stock music production, Pelayo views AI as a tool that can democratize creativity for those without formal training. He described the future as "humans with AI versus humans without AI," suggesting that artists who embrace the technology will hold a significant advantage. Ultimately, he believes that while AI can replicate technical tasks, it can never replace the authentic identity and emotional essence of a human talent.