For his next AI-based initiative, Secret Mountain, music composer A.R. Rahman has partnered with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Rahman posted a picture of himself with Altman along with the announcement on social media, claiming that they talked about how to use AI to help Indian artists and solve long-term problems with technology. The project is being developed as a metaverse-based musical platform and is referred to as a virtual global band. “We discussed Secret Mountain, our virtual global band, and how to empower and uplift Indian minds to use AI tools to address generational challenges and lead the way forward,” Rahman said in the caption of the photo. In a video that was made public in February 2024, Rahman initially presented the idea of Secret Mountain. Luna, a fictional heroine in the animation preview, enters a virtual world and engages with a variety of musical identities from diverse civilizations. According to the video, the project’s main goal would be to investigate cultural ties in an immersive environment by utilizing digital technology, music, and storytelling.
Rahman has already discussed the application of AI in music, stating that although it can be a beginning point for the creative process, it cannot take the place of human composers’ emotional nuance or inventiveness. “The human element is still irreplaceable, but AI can be a starting point,” he stated. It is anticipated that Secret Mountain will unite musicians and mentors from various nations, such as China, India, Ireland, and parts of Africa. The project seeks to offer a technologically advanced, cooperative setting for international music exchange. Alongside composer Hans Zimmer, Rahman is now working on the soundtrack for the next Nitesh Tiwari-directed movie Ramayana. A launch schedule and other Secret Mountain-related information are still pending confirmation.
