The Kala Ghoda Arts Festival is one of Mumbai’s most iconic cultural events, celebrating diverse forms of art, literature, music, and heritage. It provides a platform for artists and intellectuals to showcase their talents and engage in meaningful dialogues. This spirit of exploration was vividly reflected in an electrifying panel discussion titled “Arts in the Age of AI,” which delved into questions like: Can AI be truly creative? Does technology enhance or threaten artistic expression? These thought-provoking topics took center stage, sparking engaging debates and leaving the audience both inspired and intrigued.
Moderated by Vibha Kagzi, Author, Founder & Chief Education Officer of ReachIvy.com, the panel featured renowned film producer Dheer Momaya, Indian author, journalist, and speaker Meghna Pant, celebrated sitar maestro Purbayan Chatterjee and Radio & Podcast Host and Producer Hrishi K. Together, they navigated the fascinating intersection of art and artificial intelligence, debating how AI is reshaping creativity across literature, music, filmmaking, and visual arts.
Meghna Pant reflected on AI’s role in literature, stating, “AI is inevitable. Instead of resisting it, we should embrace its potential and learn to coexist. It can enhance storytelling, but it’s no replacement for human creativity. AI can’t replicate the depth and emotional resonance that come from lived experiences.’
Dheer Momaya shared his insights on filmmaking, noting, “AI operates within predictable structures and patterns, making it easy to identify AI-generated content. Authentic storytelling transcends algorithms; it thrives on human nuance, emotion, and the subtle imperfections that make stories real and relatable.”
The session sparked intense discussions on AI’s role as a collaborator rather than a competitor in the creative world. Vibha Kagzi remarked, ‘AI is not here to replace human creativity but to challenge and expand it. It pushes us to think differently, to innovate, and to redefine what it means to be an artist in the digital age. The key is to harness AI’s potential while staying rooted in our unique human experiences.’
Addressing the impact on music, Purbayan Chatterjee commented, “The key with technology is to make it work for you, not the other way around. When artists understand how to harness AI effectively, it can enhance their creativity rather than hinder it. True artistry comes from the soul, and as long as musicians stay true to that, AI remains a valuable tool, not a substitute.”
Adding to this, Hrishi K,Radio & Podcast Host and Producer remarked, “‘AI can replicate voices, scripts, and even generate content, but it can never capture the authenticity that makes human conversations truly engaging. The magic of radio and podcasts lies in the unscripted moments—the laughter, the pauses, the raw emotions that connect with audiences on a personal level. AI can be a tool, the ability to resonate with listeners comes from genuine human experience.”
With her signature charm and intellectual depth, Vibha Kagzi steered the discussion towards real-world implications, engaging both panelists and the audience in a dynamic conversation. The energy in the room was appreciable, as attendees—ranging from art lovers and AI researchers to students and industry professionals—eagerly exchanged ideas, opinions, and even a few concerns about the future of creativity in a tech-driven world.
The discussion, held at the Elphinstone College Quadrangle, was one of the festival’s standout sessions, reinforcing Kala Ghoda’s role as a platform for pioneering conversations on art, culture, and innovation. As the world grapples with the rise of AI in creative fields, one thing remains clear—human creativity, with its emotions, imperfections, and intuition, will always have a place in the ever-evolving artistic landscape. This was brilliantly reflected in the way Vibha Kagzi navigated the conversation, inspiring the audience to think beyond technology and reconnect with the core essence of what makes art truly human.