In the era of rapid technological advancement, the realm of artificial intelligence (AI) has reached a point where even the timeless melodies of legendary singers are not immune to its influence. The latest concern comes from the families of renowned singing legends like Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Mukesh, Kishore Kumar, and R D Burman, who are now contemplating legal action to protect their loved ones’ musical legacies.
Nitin Mukesh, son of the iconic singer Mukesh, expressed deep concern about the potential misuse of his father’s extensive collection of songs. In a statement, he emphasized the need for a united front to combat what he referred to as the menace of AI vandalism. “There is a vast treasury of my father’s songs out there. Anyone can do anything with it. We must stand together as one voice to combat this menace,” Nitin Mukesh remarked.
The families of these singing legends, who have made significant contributions to Hindi cinema’s musical landscape, are exploring avenues to collectively address the threat posed by AI activities. One family member highlighted the importance of consolidating efforts against AI vandalism rather than pursuing individual legal actions. “Rather than one or the other of us appearing in court as an aggrieved party, we need to cultivate a collective platform to combat this threat (Artificial Intelligence) to the singing and composing legends. You can’t tamper with classics in the guise of technological advancement,” the family member explained.
The battle against AI infringement on musical creations has already seen its first notable move. The family of South India’s legendary singer, S. P. Balasubramaniam (SPB), has taken legal action against the producers and music composer of the Tamil film “Keeda Kola.” The legal action was prompted by the unauthorized use of SPB’s voice through Artificial Intelligence, done without the family’s consent.
The music industry has witnessed revolutionary changes with the advent of AI, offering innovative tools for music creation and enhancement. However, the flip side of this technological progress is the potential misuse and unauthorized manipulation of existing artistic creations, especially the timeless melodies that have become an integral part of cultural heritage.
As the families of singing legends gear up for legal action, the collective endeavor aims not only to protect the intellectual property of these iconic artists but also to establish guidelines that safeguard the integrity of their musical contributions in the face of evolving technological landscapes. The clash between art and artificial intelligence raises critical questions about the ethical use of technology in the creative domain, signaling a new frontier in the ongoing dialogue between tradition and innovation.
