Singer-songwriter Jace Roque is speaking out against artificial intelligence in music, arguing that it undercuts the value of genuine artistic effort.

"AI in music is something I can never get behind. It diminishes my hard work. When AI-generated music gets more attention than music made by a truly talented person, it devalues what I do. It's offensive, honestly — something I will never support," Jace said in an interview at the launch of Ato Gaido Tea Shop at CityWalk 2 in Eastwood City.

Singer-songwriter Jace Roque (Raymond Cauilan)

Still, Jace draws a distinction: AI has its place, but only as a tool that assists — never one that replaces — human creativity.

"In general, AI is fine as long as it serves as a supporting tool. What's not okay is when there's nothing left for a human to contribute — you just type a prompt and that's it. AI was created to ease the burden, not to take over," he said.

He acknowledged that some people have encouraged him to experiment with AI in his music, but he remains firmly against it.

"It's like driving — you can't just hand the wheel over to AI and remove all human intervention. The human element has to remain at the core."

With 18 years in the industry, Jace has picked up lessons that go well beyond the stage.

"You can't just be an artist on the creative side. You have to immerse yourself in the business. You have to be knowledgeable about the industry you're entering — not just because you're talented and want to be in showbiz. You need to equip yourself with everything there is to know about the business.

"You need to read your contracts and negotiate everything. And you have to be grateful to everyone who helped you along the way.

"That's one of the problems I've noticed with some artists — they lose their sense of gratitude. I've seen it time and again: you won't get far if you're not thankful to the people who helped you get there," he said.

On breaking into the entertainment industry, Jace stressed that training is non-negotiable.

"With so many people wanting to break in, talent almost becomes secondary. There are a lot of talented people out there — what sets you apart is your training.

"You have to prepare and train. You need to own your craft, because there are so many skilled people out there. When you truly hone your skills, the difference between someone who is well-prepared and someone who is just winging it becomes obvious."

Jace also expressed excitement about the current state of Original Pilipino Music (OPM), saying the scene has never felt more alive.

At Ato Gaido-Eastwood's grand launch. From left: Jess Salvani, Rhonda Salvani, franchise owners; singer-songwriter Jace Roque; and Arlyn Mendoza, business partner.

"It's alive — thriving and surviving. BINI's Coachella appearance will open more doors for Filipino artists. Every artist should push themselves so we can all be given more opportunities," he said.

Looking ahead, Jace is eyeing a strong finish to the year.

"I just want to put out everything I’ve been working hard on for the past three years. Hopefully, I can take home some awards during awards season.

"I'm just grateful to still be here, because longevity is hard to come by. I'm sure many artists are chasing it for as long as their bodies will allow. Even after 18 years, I still feel relevant," he added.

Jace is also looking forward to the release of his new Star Music single, “Pagbangon,” dropping on streaming platforms on April 10.

“'Pagbangon' is the story of my rebirth — how I turned pain and despair into fuel to reignite my passion,” he shared.