Artists in Barbados are watching closely as the National Independence Festival of Creative Arts (NIFCA) moves to create a formal policy on artificial intelligence in creative work. With no “hard and fast policy” yet in place, judges have already seen a rise in literary entries that appear AI‑generated or heavily AI‑assisted, prompting a rule that such works must be 100% human‑generated for now.

NCF Chief Cultural Officer Andrea Wells says the goal isn’t to ban technology, but to ensure it serves artists’ own creativity instead of replacing it. She argues that AI is only a threat if people treat creativity as a “lazy exercise,” and that truly original work will always carry a human essence that machines can’t replicate.

For musicians, soca and calypso writers, dancers, poets and visual artists, this conversation matters because:

• It could affect how entries are judged at NIFCA and similar competitions.

• It may influence future grant and festival rules around disclosure of AI use.

• It raises questions about authorship, especially when AI helps with lyrics, melodies, arrangements or visuals.

For Instagram/TikTok creators, this is also a branding issue: audiences increasingly care about “real” voices and stories. A clear stance on how you use AI tools—whether for drafting captions, editing reels, or generating visuals—can become part of your creative identity and trust with followers.

Expect more guidance soon on:

• What counts as “AI‑assisted” vs “AI‑generated.”

• Whether disclosure will be required in certain categories.

• How different disciplines (music, literary arts, performance, visual arts) will be treated.

For now, the message from NCF leadership is clear: use tech as a tool, not a shortcut, and keep your own creative voice at the centre.