Veteran screenwriter and lyricist Javed Akhtar at a recent event gave his opinion on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and said that the next generation of artistes will face a real challenge from this new technology.

However, Akhtar also said that the current state of AI is of a competent tool but when it comes to creative work it is nothing more than an “assistant or a secretary.”

“It still leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to creativity. Any art form — be it painting, music or poetry — is not done by the conscious mind totally. A lot of it is created in the subconscious mind, and AI lacks a subconscious. It does not have emotions like childhood trauma, heartbreak, etc,” said Akhtar while speaking at a session during Soundcapes of India event in the Capital, on Monday, as per a report in Hindustan Times.

The 80-year-old also cautioned that while AI may seem limited today, in future it could look very different. “Let’s not fool ourselves that it would never happen. Five to 10 years more, and it could be totally different. I don’t see it reaching that level in my lifetime, but the next generation of artistes will surely face a real challenge from AI because it will get stronger and more equipped,” he added.

Previously too, Akhtar has given his two cents on the advent of AI and the possibility that it will take over all creative jobs, including writing. In a conversation with comedian Sapan Verma, Akhtar had said, “Artificial intelligence in the current form can only work on data. It can only recreate what has been fed to it. We can give it a situation and it can create a song but it will be a mediocre one. AI can’t create a masterpiece.”