In a revealing conversation on Nikhil Kamath's People by WTF podcast, Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman shared details about his personal interactions with two of the most prominent figures in artificial intelligence: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Perplexity AI CEO Aravind Srinivas.
The Broken Record Message to AI Leaders
The music maestro disclosed that he has spent considerable time with both technology leaders and consistently delivered one crucial message throughout their discussions. Rahman described himself as a "broken record" repeatedly emphasizing his primary concern about artificial intelligence's impact on employment.
"My first comment with any AI person is, don't make people lose jobs," Rahman stated during the podcast appearance. Rather than focusing on job displacement, the celebrated composer urged AI developers to harness technology's power to "empower people" and address what he called "generational curses" including poverty, misinformation, and limited access to creative tools.
AI Regulation: The Gun Analogy
Rahman presented a powerful comparison between unregulated AI and firearms, arguing that both require strict human-imposed rules to prevent devastating consequences. "If you buy a gun, you've set rules, right? You don't give it to everyone, because they're gonna shoot everybody," he explained.
The music legend expanded on this analogy, noting that while AI doesn't physically harm people like weapons do, it can "pull the carpet off, make them jobless" and potentially push families into poverty. He emphasized that "humans have to set the rules" for artificial intelligence, just as society establishes traffic rules and immigration regulations.
Secret Mountain: Blending Human Creativity with AI
Rahman also discussed his ambitious "Secret Mountain" project, which has been in development for three years in collaboration with OpenAI. This innovative endeavor represents a fusion of human artistic expression and AI-powered workflows.
"We use the best of AI, and we use the best of humans," Rahman described the project that he envisions as a potential global intellectual property created in India. The initiative spans multiple domains including fashion, merchandise, music, wisdom, and entertainment, creating what the composer called "quite a big package."
According to Rahman, Sam Altman was "fascinated" by the Secret Mountain project and offered technological support. However, the composer noted that the scale of the project requires substantial team resources, which is why they're preparing the groundwork before making the "big leap."
Personal Connections and Industry Impact
Beyond the serious discussions about AI ethics, Rahman shared a lighter personal note about his relationship with Perplexity AI CEO Aravind Srinivas. The composer revealed that Srinivas is "my son's friend, more than me" and that the two young men frequently spend time together.
While Rahman views AI as an "equalizer" that can help young creators with "vision but not resources," he also issued a cautionary note specifically for the music industry. The composer warned that using artificial intelligence without appropriate limits could negatively impact working musicians and their livelihoods.
The music legend's perspective highlights the growing conversation about ethical AI development, particularly as technology continues to transform creative industries and employment landscapes worldwide.
