Bhubaneswar, Nov 29: Renowned poet, lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar said that artificial intelligence (AI) is still in its early stages and cannot overpower human creativity. Speaking at the “Culture, Creativity and Artificial Intelligence” session during the 3rd SOA Literary Festival, Akhtar remarked that despite AI’s rapid entry into various fields, it lacks original thought and emotional depth, making it incapable of fully controlling creative processes.

Akhtar humorously noted that AI has no personal experiences-“even its girlfriend hasn’t left it”- underscoring that true creativity cannot emerge without lived emotions and independent thinking.

Expressing concern over cultural erosion, he said today’s younger generation is not sufficiently proud of its own language and heritage. He criticized those who equate ignorance of their culture and mother tongue with modernity, adding that it takes at least two generations for a cultural tradition to solidify.

Commenting on cinema, Akhtar stated that films reflect societal changes, and storylines evolve with the times. He observed that the traditional concept of the villain has largely disappeared from contemporary films, and even sad songs-once a staple of Indian cinema- have faded away.

Throughout his talk, Akhtar’s sharp wit and layered remarks resonated strongly with the audience, drawing frequent applause. He concluded the session by reciting his poetry, leaving listeners captivated.