Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman has recently addressed the growing presence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the music industry, emphasizing the need for responsible and ethical implementation. His comments follow his own use of AI to recreate the voices of deceased singers Bamba Bakya and Shahul Hameed for the song 'Thimiri Yezhuda' in Rajinikanth's film 'Lal Salaam' (2024).
Rahman clarified that he obtained full consent from the singers' families and provided remuneration for using their voice algorithms. Despite embracing AI for this project, Rahman cautioned against its excessive or unethical use. He expressed concern over AI-generated songs with inappropriate content using popular singers' voices, stating that such uses need to be controlled to avoid chaos.
Rahman likened the misuse of AI to 'mixing poison with oxygen,' highlighting the potential for negative consequences if not implemented responsibly. He advocated for establishing ethical guidelines and regulations within the digital world, similar to societal norms, to ensure AI empowers creators without causing harm. Rahman is currently preparing for his Wonderment Tour, starting May 3 in Mumbai.