Veteran Hindi cinema screenwriter and lyricist Javed Akhtar has shared his perspective on the growing presence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the creative space, arguing that its inevitability must be accepted and leveraged rather than resisted.
Akhtar made his remarks at the Soundscapes of India – Season 2 event, where he addressed the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) dedicating a section to AI content in its 2025 edition.
The Inevitability of Scientific Progress
Comparing AI’s reception to past scientific advancements, Akhtar suggested that resistance to new inventions is a common pattern.
- Historical Resistance: “If you see the progress of science, every invention, including automobiles and railway engines, has been resisted by the people.”
- Science is Non-Moral: He added that “science is not immoral. Whether (you think) it is right or wrong, science is going to move forward.”
- A Reality: Pointing to international achievements, he stated, “artificial intelligence is making unbelievable achievements, and it’s a reality now.”
Utilizing AI to Our Advantage
The writer stressed that the current focus should be on how to properly utilize AI’s power rather than trying to stop it.
“What we have to think about now is how to use it in our favour. How can we control this power that’s being generated is supposed to be for our ease? But you cannot wish it away.”
Addressing Hollywood’s Concerns
While acknowledging the concerns of Hollywood screenwriters who went on strike against the use of AI and machine learning models (MLMs), Akhtar implied that these fears are only partially justified. He believes the core issue revolves around data and compensation.
- Data Dependence: “The fact is that today AI depends on existing data. Who gives that data? You are giving them the data.”
- The Compensation Question: “The data is always going to be shared and used. You have to decide what share of it you want. It is never going to stop,” he concluded.