Rubina Leal, president of the Legislative Assembly of Madeira, has cautioned against the risks of artificial intelligence (AI) in standardizing thought and limiting creativity. She argued that technology should be a supportive tool, not a replacement for imagination, emotion, and independent thinking.
At the closing of Mesclarte’26, Leal surprised attendees by revealing her initial speech was AI-generated, noting that while seemingly perfect, it lacked "essence, soul, emotion." She emphasized, "AI cannot decide what I want and where I am going," warning that reliance on identical tools could lead to a homogenous way of thinking.
Leal also highlighted Mesclarte's role in promoting regional talent and the international projection of creative industries, reaffirming the Assembly's support. She praised the honorees and artistic contributions, asserting that Madeiran creativity extends beyond the region's borders and that this distinctiveness must be preserved.
