Nigerian filmmaker Akay Mason has argued that artificial intelligence-generated films cannot replace the emotional connection and depth created through performances by human actors.

Mason made the observation in a post shared on X on Friday while reflecting on the growing use of artificial intelligence in the film industry and its potential impact on actors and filmmaking.

According to the filmmaker, AI-generated films may be technologically impressive, but they often lack the emotional qualities that audiences naturally connect with when watching human beings perform on screen.

“AI films will fail. Every AI short film I’ve seen lacks the emotional connection we instinctively feel when watching actual humans perform. It just feels empty,” Mason said.

He argued that one of the major strengths of traditional filmmaking is the ability of actors to communicate emotions, experiences and vulnerabilities in ways that resonate with viewers.

Mason also identified celebrity culture as another factor that could make it difficult for AI-generated actors to replace human stars in the film industry.

He noted that audiences often develop strong emotional attachments to actors and celebrities, including admiration for their personalities, careers and performances.

“Another reason is our tendency toward idolatry and celebrity culture.

We love to worship our stars. With AI films, there are no stars to worship. You know the character on screen is nothing but a series of codes,” he said.

The filmmaker, however, acknowledged that artificial intelligence has useful applications in filmmaking and could serve as a valuable tool for filmmakers rather than a replacement for human talent.

He noted that filmmakers are already using AI for a range of technical tasks, including improving visual effects, lighting and sound.

“Sure, filmmakers now use AI as a tool to fix VFX, lighting, or sound issues, and that’s perfectly okay,” Mason said.

He added that he had also used ChatGPT to correct some grammatical issues in his social media post, highlighting how AI could complement rather than replace human creativity.

Despite the rapid development of AI technologies capable of generating realistic images, videos and voices, Mason maintained that there remains a fundamental difference between artificial performances and those delivered by real actors.

“But if we’re being real, AI actors cannot replace a real actor’s performance, which is, at its core, the expression of the human soul,” he said.

His comments come amid increasing debate within the global entertainment industry over the use of artificial intelligence in film production, particularly concerning the future of actors, writers and other creative professionals.

While AI tools are increasingly being adopted to assist with production and post-production processes, Mason’s position is that technology should remain a tool that supports filmmakers while the emotional and creative core of storytelling remains rooted in human performance.

Nigerian comedian and actor Ayodeji Makun, popularly known as AY, has shared a touching reminder of Afrobeats star Asake’s humble beginnings, revealing a message the singer sent him in 2019 seeking support for his music career.

AY made the revelation after attending Asake’s sold-out concert at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, as part of the singer’s “In God We Trust” tour.

Reflecting on the singer’s remarkable rise, AY said he recently remembered receiving a direct message from Asake several years ago, although he did not see it when it was initially sent.

According to the comedian, the message was sent sometime in 2019, long before Asake became one of Africa’s most recognised music stars.

“I remember when this boy sent me a message in my DM on Instagram. I didn’t even get to see this message on time. This was years ago, sometime during 2019,” AY said.

The comedian displayed the old Instagram message in a video shared with his followers.
In the message, Asake, who introduced himself as “Ololade,” appealed to AY to support his music and help expose his work to a wider audience.

He told the comedian that he had released a record and that AY’s support would mean a lot to his career.

Asake concluded his appeal by asking AY to “help a son” and prayed for God’s blessings on the comedian and his family.

Years later, the singer who was once seeking recognition from established personalities has gone on to achieve international fame and perform before thousands of fans around the world.

AY, however, stressed that he was not sharing the old message to claim credit for Asake’s success.

The comedian attributed the singer’s achievements to his talent, dedication, hard work and God.

“I’m not saying all of this to take any credit. That glory belongs to God and his talent and of course the hard work that is put into all of this,” he said.

AY said watching Asake command the stage before a large audience in Houston made him reflect on the distance the singer had travelled since the early days of his career.

For the comedian, Asake’s journey offers an important lesson about treating people with kindness and respecting the dreams of those seeking opportunities.

“The truth is that the person asking to be seen today may become the person the whole world will celebrate tomorrow.

So be good to people, respect their dreams, never look down on anyone because you simply cannot tell what tomorrow brings,” AY said.

AY also revealed that Asake’s management took him backstage following the Houston concert, where the singer personally approached him to exchange greetings.

The comedian described the encounter as another demonstration of Asake’s humility despite his considerable success.

Praising the singer’s performance, AY said Asake was “simply phenomenal” and congratulated him for his achievements.

He added that Asake’s success had become a source of pride not only for Nigeria but also for Africa and music lovers across the world.

The revelation has sparked renewed interest in Asake’s early career and serves as a reminder that many successful people once depended on the kindness, encouragement or support of others while pursuing their dreams.

Grammy Award-winning Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Ayodeji Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid, headlined the closing night of the 2026 Afro Plus Fest in Maryland, United States, as he marked 15 years since his breakthrough in the music industry.

The 35-year-old singer brought the three-day festival to a close on Sunday, September 6, performing at the Northwest Stadium Complex in Landover, Maryland.

Wizkid’s appearance carried special significance as it coincided with his 15th anniversary in the Nigerian music industry.

The singer rose to prominence following the release of his debut album, Superstar, in 2011, which featured the hit single “Holla at Your Boy.”

During his closing-night performance, Wizkid treated fans to a selection of songs spanning different stages of his career.

The singer shared the stage with several international Afrobeats, dancehall and hip-hop acts, delivering performances that kept the audience singing along.

His set included fan favourites such as “In My Bed,” “Daddy Yo,” “Bad to Me,” “Slow Down,” “Caro,” “Essence,” “Alaye,” “Jogodo,” “Money Constant,” and “Ojuelegba.”

Over the past 15 years, Wizkid has established himself as one of Africa’s most influential music stars, earning international recognition and several major awards.

He became the first Nigerian artist to top the Billboard Hot 100 after contributing to Drake’s global hit “One Dance,” alongside the Canadian rapper and Kyla.

His discography includes acclaimed projects such as Ayo, Made in Lagos, More Love, Less Ego and Morayo, further cementing his status as one of the leading figures in contemporary African music.

Wizkid also won a Grammy Award for his contribution to Beyoncé’s “Brown Skin Girl” and has maintained a strong presence on global streaming platforms.

His collaboration with Tems on “Essence” became one of the biggest Afrobeats crossover hits, earning widespread international recognition.

His selection as the final-night headliner highlighted his enduring influence on Afrobeats and the genre’s growing global reach.

The 2026 Afro Plus Fest featured a star-studded line-up spread across three days.

Nigerian singer Davido was billed as the Friday headliner, while Jamaican dancehall star Alkaline led Saturday’s programme before Wizkid closed the festival on Sunday.

Other performers included Lil Baby, Latto, Tems, Ayra Starr, Tiwa Savage, Olamide and Adekunle Gold, among others.

Billed as the largest Afro-Caribbean-Hip Hop festival, the 2026 edition expanded to a three-day format with performances across two stages. Organisers projected an attendance of about 40,000 fans daily.

Reflecting on the festival’s growth, Founder and Executive Producer Michael Awosanya had earlier described the event as more than an entertainment platform, saying it had developed into a global diaspora movement.

Awosanya said the festival had grown from an idea conceived as a block party into a major international gathering, adding that its successful debut demonstrated the potential for Afro Plus Fest to become a lasting cultural movement.

Wizkid’s headline performance therefore provided a fitting conclusion to an event celebrating the global influence of African and Caribbean music while also marking another milestone in the singer’s remarkable career.