Rosie Riot speaks to Matteo Giovanelli, one half of Italian DJ duo Mathame, and trailblazers of the EmoTech movement. We chat about the creation of NEO, a fictional world where AI exists alongside humans, the pros and cons of artificial intelligence, and 8-metre tall monoliths.
Ibiza‘s IMS 2026 highlighted focus on AI was one of the summit’s most important and divisive topics. One of its biggest advocates in attendance was Matteo Giovanelli, one half of Italian melodic and ‘EmoTech’ DJ and production duo Mathame.
Fresh from Cannes, where their short film NEO – The Prophecy has been officially selected for the World AI Film Festival, they have created an evolving, expansive universe beyond the dancefloor, into film and visual storytelling.
IMS also witnessed a preview of NEO – A World Where Humans and AI Coexist, which explores the bridge between human emotion and machine intelligence.
The concept behind NEO is a world where humans and AI exist side-by-side – a fictional, dystopian universe that perhaps mirrors the realities of our earthbound world, where AI uses human intent to function and evolve. It helped Mathame create awe-inspiring shows complete with a giant monolith – an 8-metre meditating statue, and a guardian of coexistence.
The figure was inspired by a trip to Japan, where culture meets cutting edge technology and futurism. Windswept and sunlit in Cala Llonga, Ibiza, I ask Matteo to expand on NEO and his opinions on AI.
“In 2023 my brother and I were in Japan, and I was amazed by the temples. I love the physical nature of the statues, and the connection between the drums. So, I figured out that it was cool to bring back that physical stuff on stage, with more connection to a physical thing than just visuals.”
So, is there a kind of spirituality behind it?
“I’d say underlying yes, there is a connection to a sort of metaphysical approach with a statue that is actually good for you, because it is meditating itself for your benefit. Also, the fact that it’s a cyborg means that we need to figure out how to make machines better for humans.”
I acknowledge that there is a merging of the ancient and the progressive and ask Matteo if he feels that.
“Yeah, exactly – it’s a kind of cross-pollination.”
I track back to a panel discussion on AI earlier that day where Matteo discussed the AI divide and moral revolution. There were divisive opinions from panellists. I wanted to know if Matteo thought AI was somehow misunderstood or had a bit of an unfair reputation:
“I think now it is delicate to talk about AI because there’s a lot of names and misunderstandings about what it really means. It’s a predictive tool, no more than that, so the point is the human responsibility. How we use it is the same with any kind of thing.
“The fact that it’s accessible is a good thing, because it gives the opportunity to maybe people that perhaps don’t have money, so that they can create narratives, build, and make music.
“Anyone can be an artist with AI. How you use it changes everything. Human intent is the key. The industry needs to figure out how we can agree on a protocol, a patent ID that allows artists to have enhanced creativity and give to the world better things.”
Trust is a topic that emerges. Matteo agrees that because of the human intent element of AI, proper regulation is necessary, a patent or ‘shared entity’ so that it deciphers artists with human intent. But with human intent comes human nature, and there are some out there that simply want to make money using AI.
“This is ruining AI for artists who are using it responsibly,” he says. “So, we need to regulate it as quickly as possible as an industry.”
Circling back to NEO and on human reactions, I wanted to ask Matteo about how he felt when he first unveiled AI visuals in his live performances. What were audience reactions like?
“I think there were mixed feelings – I can say one hundred percent that there was a part of it where some people were not so happy to see AI visuals,” he says. “Because, basically, there is the argument that if you’re using AI, you’re stealing graphics. But the fact is, with visuals it still requires huge work, even if you are using AI systems. You need a system and a context… layers.
“To extract meaning and value from AI you have to work your ass off. I mean, I don’t know anyone who can call themselves artists who take something from an AI generator platform and bring it to our screens, platforms or Spotify. I mean who does that? I think they are criminals.”
But on the other hand, Matteo relives some positive reactions from the huge crowds that see him and his brother perform live.
“They’d never seen anything like that before, so they connected with the originality of it.”
I end our interview by mentioning Ibiza, our location. It’s featured in last year’s official trailer for NEO, set in a dystopian version of Ibiza.
“In our story, the rebels are doing raves on an island – a different Ibiza to what we know,” he says. “We thought about this topic of a cave of rebels. I mean, it’s similar to the beginning of the Ibiza we know today, in the 80s when people actually did live in caves. And, the real, raw energy – not just fashion and shows, you know? That was the inspiration of that story.”
It’s clear that whichever dimension Mathame lives in, it is bound for the stratosphere.
Listen to Mathame here and follow NEO’s journey here. Words by Rosie Riot.
