SAN FRANCISCO (Diya TV) — Oscar-winning music composer A.R. Rahman met with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Perplexity AI CEO Aravind Srinivas this week to explore how generative artificial intelligence can fuel India’s creative future. The meetings focused on Rahman’s upcoming AI-driven project, Secret Mountain, a virtual music band that blends technology, culture, and storytelling.
Rahman shared photos from his visit on X. He called the meetings “inspiring” and emphasized his mission to “empower and uplift Indian minds to use AI tools to address generational challenges.”
Rahman met Altman at OpenAI’s headquarters in San Francisco. The two discussed how AI tools can enhance music composition, streamline production, and support experimental creativity. Rahman described Secret Mountain as a global band that uses AI, virtual avatars, and immersive experiences to connect audiences across cultures.
“It was a pleasure to meet @sama at his office,” Rahman posted. “We discussed Secret Mountain, our virtual global band, and how to empower Indian creators to lead with AI.”
Altman praised Rahman’s vision. He noted the composer’s commitment to using AI not as a replacement for artists, but as a tool to help them overcome barriers in global entertainment.
OpenAI VP Srinivas Narayanan also hosted Rahman for a fireside chat and Q&A session. He said Rahman spoke deeply about the role of AI in shaping the future of creative expression. “Beyond being an iconic composer, he is also a true innovator,” Narayanan wrote. “From creating the VR film Le Musk to building a digital metahuman band, he’s pushing boundaries.”
In New York, Rahman visited Perplexity AI’s offices to meet CEO Aravind Srinivas. The two explored how AI search and collaboration tools like the Comet browser could enhance Secret Mountain.
Srinivas posted a photo with Rahman and praised the potential synergy between their technologies. “Great hosting @arrahman at @perplexity_ai office today with live demos of Comet browser, and his upcoming project Secret Mountain,” he wrote.
Together, they looked at ways generative media and immersive storytelling can transform digital music experiences. The aim is to create interactive journeys that blend culture, sound, and advanced technology.
Secret Mountain is Rahman’s latest creative project, first unveiled in a YouTube teaser on February 14, 2024. It tells the story of a virtual band made up of AI-powered MetaHumans from around the world, including India, Ireland, China, and Africa.
The demo begins with Luna, a digital guide, who escapes the “dooms of scrolling” and enters a digital world filled with cross-cultural music. Good Fellas Studio and Qyuki Digital Media, co-founded by Rahman, developed the project as a mix of music, animation, and extended reality (XR).
The platform will allow audiences to co-create music with AI avatars and engage with storytelling experiences. Rahman says Secret Mountain is about more than just tech—it’s about human creativity. “AI can be a starting point,” he said in an earlier interview. “But the emotional depth and creativity remain irreplaceable.”
The platform will also use Web3 tools to give creators, especially those from India and the Global South, more access and control over their work.
Rahman’s goal is to build a space where technology amplifies culture instead of replacing it. He sees Secret Mountain as a way to bring together global artists, break down barriers, and offer new ways to perform and collaborate.
The project’s full interactive launch is expected later this year. It will include music, virtual performances, and real-time creative tools powered by AI.
Meanwhile, Rahman continues to stay busy with other major works. He is co-scoring the Ramayana film series with Hans Zimmer, and recently received praise for his work in Chhaava, Kadhalikka Neramillai, and Thug Life. Upcoming titles also include Tere Ishk Mein and Peddi.
As AI continues to evolve, artists like Rahman are showing how it can be used to enrich—not erase—human creativity.
