The Unseen Conundrum of AI in Music
AR Rahman, the maestro who churns out music as effortlessly as one makes a cup of tea, has thrown a shrewd spotlight on the current hiccup in the music industry: the rampant tamper with Artificial Intelligence (AI). Branding the exploitation of AI as somewhat diabolical, Rahman warns of the looming ethical debacle that could shake the very foundation of this harmonious kingdom.
Respecting the Human Touch
In this duel between human creativity and synthetic intelligence, Rahman stands his ground like a medieval knight, spear in hand. He acknowledges that while AI has its pluses, particularly in the assistance it can provide, there remains an essence of musical composition that demands the depth of a human heart and a philosophical mind. One might deduce this philosophy was born from many a sleepless night tinkling ivories and scribbling notes.
Rahman has not dismissed AI entirely; he is a diplomat in a world of hedonists. Mentioning his own experience with using AI to bring back the voices of singers from yesteryears, Bamba Bakya and Shahul Hameed, for his song Thimiri Yezhuda in the film Lal Salam, he sets a precedent. Crucially, he ensured permissions were more than just lip service and remunerations were as stiff as a maestro’s baton.
A Remix Ruckus
But let’s take a stroll down memory lane—do you remember those remixes which make you scowl and scuttle towards the radio? Indeed, Rahman finds the practice of remixing and reimagining songs, sans a slip of approval from the original creators, rather distasteful. These notes written with personal sweat should not be fodder for mere commercial gain. The old adage “Ask and you shall receive” needs to be dusted off and applied anew.
There is a warning in Rahman’s discourse akin to the chilling whistle of wind through abandoned concert halls. Misuse of AI, he cautions, could lead to artists ending up with busking as their last resort, if, of course, busking hasn’t already been overtaken by robots! The world may eventually need draconian measures to prevent such calamities, lest we fall prey to farm-fresh AI-made tunes.
A Call for Legal Harmonization
The furor doesn’t merely emanate from Rahman’s corner. Vocal luminaries like Neeti Mohan and Kavita Krishnamurthy have joined the chorus. Their common concerns reverberate around ethics, copyright, and maintaining the creative integrity of musical compositions. Regulations are fidgeting in the wings, ready to step onto the stage, as the industry grapples with forming a legal straitjacket to curb AI exuberance.
Yet, amid the clangor of legal papers, Rahman’s euphonic adventure continues unabated. His recent compositions for Raayan and Amar Singh Chamkila remind us that the melody of creativity hasn’t lost its tune. As the curtains rise for his upcoming works, Chhava and Thug Life, one hopes for safeguards that allow AI to hum a delicate symphony in support, and not a boisterous takeover.
