Shankar Mahadevan calls AI a ‘friend-assistant’, suggesting it’s not a threat to musicians

Grammy-winning composer Shankar Mahadevan has turned to artificial intelligence to create his latest track "Rubaroo," but insists the technology is an ally, not a threat. "AI can't replace musicians," he states firmly, describing it instead as a "friend and personal assistant."

The new song, developed using an AI tool called Sandbox in collaboration with YouTube and Google Lab, was composed in Mahadevan's Mumbai studio and unveiled during Google's annual I/O developer conference in California. A seamless blend of Sufi melodies and contemporary production, "Rubaroo" showcases the potential of AI in music—but underlines the irreplaceable role of human creativity.

"For a musician, it's such an inspiring tool," says the 58-year-old, noting that AI can suggest melodies or lines to spark creativity, but the final artistic choices must come from a human being. "Some things were phenomenal and out of the world, but some were very amateurish and basic. It will suggest your work, but the first and last call has to be taken by a human being! At the core, you need to be a good musician to be able to use AI to your advantage."

Mahadevan is clear-eyed about the scope of AI. "AI is the way to enhance technology right now. We should not assume that it can replace humans. There's a thought that AI will replace musicians and singers. But there's nothing to fear. Human intelligence, when working with AI, can achieve wonders. Just that, we need to use it to the best of our advantage and responsibly."

He likens this moment to earlier shifts in music production technology. "50 years ago, when synthesisers came in, or when programming software took over, musicians had the same fear. But we have remained irreplaceable." The advent of synthesisers once sparked anxiety about the future of live music, as did the rise of software-based production, but Mahadevan believes the essence of musical artistry has never been under threat.

"A lot of work is already happening on the AI front. It is already happening not only in music but in every field. We have started utilising it in our work. It's just a tool," he explains.