AR Rahman, Sam Altman Team Up for AI Project Secret Mountain
In a recent photo, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and two-time Oscar-winning music composer AR Rahman hinted to their partnership on the singer's AI-powered project.
Rahman met Altman at his workplace, where they talked about and looked into ways to use artificial intelligence to address generational issues and empower Indian creators.
Rahman tagged Altman in a post he posted on Instagram, revealing that the two were discussing ideas for "Secret Mountain," his next virtual global band project that attempts to combine sound and coding to create something revolutionary.
“It was a pleasure meet @sama at his office …we discussed ‘Secret Mountain’, our virtual global band, and to empower and uplift Indian minds to use AI tools to address generational challenges and lead the way forward,” Rahman wrote on social media alongside the picture of two smiling for the camera.
AR Rahman uploaded an almost five-minute video on YouTube on February 14, 2024, with the title "Introducing the Secret Mountain." The unexpected update confused fans, but it was actually a preview of Rahman's upcoming project.
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The video started with, “Hey I’m Luna, let me tell you a story. Like most of us, I have been wandering the jungle instead of gratification, dooms of scrolling.”
The video, which was set in a magical metaverse environment, hinted to the introduction of innovation through improved narrative.
It narrates the tale of Luna, a young woman who is taken to the Secret Mountain universe and meets a variety of musical figures with distinct styles and cultural origins.
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Rahman often relies on wisdom rather than leaning on “muscle memory,” and is known for making music without direct reference to film scenes. This is where he gets his inspiration from to come up with his new project. “I consciously avoid repetition,” Rahman explained on his website. “AI can be a starting point,” he noted, adding, “but the human element, the emotional depth and creativity, remains irreplaceable.”
Through this project, he will bring singers and mentors from around the world onto one platform, including Ireland, China, Africa, and India, to show how music can surpass geographical boundaries. The project is called “Meta Band” and aims to provide an immersive experience.
Rahman is collaborating with the Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer on the music for the upcoming two-part Ramayana adaptation, directed by Nitesh Tiwari and starring Ranbir Kapoor. Rahman won his Oscars for Slumdog Millionaire, directed by Danny Boyle.