Sonu Nigam Believes AI 'Should Be Treated As An Assistant, Not A Boss'

Sonu Nigam is currently busy with his Satrangi Re tour, and in the middle of this, he has sat down to speak about the growing use of AI. The use of AI is becoming a debatable topic in the industry, and amidst this, Sonu Nigam too has reacted to the discussion, adding that the technology should be used as an assistant and not be given centre stage.

In an interview with Indian Express, Nigam shared, “AI should be treated as an assistant, not as your boss. It’s a tool that can support creativity, but it should never replace the human soul that gives music its true essence.”

While Nigam is still trying to understand where AI will take us all, he added, “For now, I find that algorithms recommend music I’m genuinely inclined towards — so I don’t see

it as a problem yet. We’ll have to wait and watch how it evolves.”

How the industry is reacting to excessive AI use

While speaking at a session during the Soundscapes of India event in Delhi, Javed Akhtar shared, “AI, for sure, is a very competent tool right now. But that is only in the present… It’s more like an assistant, a secretary. It still leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to creativity. Any art form, be it painting, music, or poetry, is not done by the conscious mind totally. A lot of it is created in the subconscious mind, and AI lacks a subconscious. It does not have emotions like childhood trauma, heartbreak, etc.”

Vikramaditya Motwane, who is vocal about his opposition to overusing AI, said in an earlier interview with Hindustan Times, “I see AI as a threat. The threat is not from the creators using it; the threat is from the people with money wanting to use it to save more money for themselves. The threat comes from there. It’s about the people in power using it to be able to say, ‘I can use AI and then I will not hire X number of people for my job,’ or ‘I can use AI and I can get rid of X number of people.’”

About Sonu Nigam

Sonu Nigam is one of India’s most versatile and celebrated playback singers, known for his wide vocal range and ability to perform across genres, from romantic and classical to pop, rock, and devotional music. He has recorded over 6,000 songs in more than 32 languages, primarily in Hindi and Kannada, and has also released several non-film albums and acted in Hindi films.