The Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, one of Mumbai’s most iconic cultural events, continues to be a hub for artistic innovation and intellectual discourse. This year, the festival hosted a thought-provoking panel discussion titled Arts in the Age of AI, delving into the intersection of technology and creativity. The session explored pressing questions: Can AI be truly creative? Does technology enhance or threaten artistic expression?
Moderated by Vibha Kagzi, Founder & Chief Education Officer of ReachIvy.com, the panel featured acclaimed film producer Dheer Momaya, award-winning author Meghna Pant, celebrated sitar virtuoso Purbayan Chatterjee, and renowned radio and podcast host Hrishi K. The discussion spanned literature, music, filmmaking, and visual arts, assessing AI’s evolving role as both a tool and a challenge to artistic expression.
Meghna Pant emphasised that AI, while inevitable, cannot replace human creativity, as it lacks the depth and emotional resonance of lived experiences. Dheer Momaya pointed out AI’s limitations in storytelling, highlighting that true narratives thrive on human nuance and imperfections. Purbayan Chatterjee noted that technology, when harnessed correctly, can complement an artist’s craft rather than overshadow it. Hrishi K stressed that AI may replicate voices and scripts but can never capture the raw emotions that make human interactions truly engaging.
The discussion, held at the historic Elphinstone College Quadrangle, sparked intense debates among attendees, reinforcing Kala Ghoda’s role as a space for pioneering conversations on culture and innovation. As AI continues to reshape artistic fields, one truth remains—human creativity, with its depth and authenticity, will always be irreplaceable.
