Last week, a remarkable moment unfolded during Sonu Nigam’s concert in Dallas, USA. Fans were surprised when footage of the late Mohd Rafi appeared on the background screen, and through the power of AI, Rafi’s iconic voice joined Sonu in singing the beloved track from “Kal Ho Naa Ho.” This emotional duet has quickly garnered attention on social media, being hailed as the “Best use of AI.” Sonu Nigam, a devoted admirer of Rafi, celebrated this unprecedented blending of past and present talent.
Impact of AI in Music
The Sonu and Rafi duet is not an isolated case within the music industry. As artificial intelligence continues to gain traction, numerous experiments in the field have emerged. Earlier this year, a TikTok user known as ghostwriter977 uploaded a track named “Heart on My Sleeve,” featuring AI-generated vocals purportedly from Drake and The Weeknd. Although it attracted significant popularity, it was later removed when it was revealed that neither artist was involved in the song’s production.
Despite challenges like intellectual property rights and ethical concerns, the integration of AI in music is expanding. A report by EY estimates that generative AI could contribute over ₹45,000 crore to India’s entertainment industry in the forthcoming years. Tools like OpenAI’s Jukebox and Google’s MusicLM are revolutionizing how audiences experience music, allowing fans to connect with legendary musicians.
Resurrecting Legendary Voices
The rapid adoption of AI technologies presents opportunities to resurrect voices of deceased artists. For example, the track “Saiyaara” used AI to recreate the voice of Kishore Kumar, amassing over 29 million views across social media platforms. Similarly, in January 2025, AR Rahman utilized AI to generate vocals from late singers Shahul Hameed and Bamba Bakya in the movie “Lal Salaam,” with permission from their families.
Producers Anshuman Sharma and Aditya Kalway also gained popularity for creating an AI rendition of “Haule Haule,” performed in Rafi’s style. However, the legal landscape surrounding these innovations often remains fraught with complications. In recent cases, the families of deceased artists, including S P Balasubrahmanyam, have taken legal action against unauthorized use of AI-generated content using their loved ones’ likenesses.
The Legal Arena and Industry Reactions
As AI reshapes the music industry, musicians and record labels are grappling with copyright implications. In the United States and India, recent rulings indicate that music composed solely by AI lacks copyright protection unless human creators actively contribute to the work. This situation has triggered calls for fair compensation, clearer licensing agreements, and explicit consent regarding the use of an artist’s likeness or sound by AI technologies.
In response to these challenges, Spotify recently announced a partnership with major record labels to develop AI technologies that honor artists’ rights and contributions. This initiative aims to ensure that artists are credited properly and that their privacy is respected in an increasingly digital landscape.
Trending AI Music Tracks
- “Heart on My Sleeve”: 2.75 lakh views on YouTube; 15 million on TikTok.
- “Saiyaara” (Kishore Kumar’s voice): 13 million views on Instagram; 16 million on YouTube.
- “Chand Sifarish” (Kishore Kumar and Mohd Rafi): 10.2 million views on Instagram.
AI’s involvement in music is undeniably transforming the landscape, providing innovative ways for artistic expression while navigating the complexities of legacy and rights. As the technology evolves, the music industry continues to adapt and establish guidelines for the future.
