Human + AI: India Today Group launches AI pop stars

The India Today Group (ITG) today unveiled A-POP, a groundbreaking music genre, and introduced its first AI Pop Stars: Aishan and Ruh. 

Building upon the success of India’s first AI news anchor, Sana, ITG is now pushing the boundaries of creative expression by merging human imagination with advanced AI capabilities.

Aishan, a 22-year-old virtual artist, embodies a blend of indie, pop, and R&B influences, drawing inspiration from personal experiences and diverse sounds. Ruh, a vibrant 24-year-old, champions self-expression and cultural exploration through new-age pop. Both AI Pop Stars, born from the limitless possibilities of AI, offer a unique musical experience, capable of producing multilingual content, engaging with fans around the clock, and personalizing music based on audience preferences.

"ITG has always led the industry with its ground-breaking initiatives, which go beyond simple automation, fostering a symbiotic relationship between human expertise and cutting-edge AI to revolutionize news delivery. Our latest foray into music is also a result of the same belief and effort that we put into our daily work to create engaging and entertaining experiences for our audiences,” said Kalli Purie, Vice Chairperson and Executive Editor-in-Chief, India Today Group. 

A-POP represents a wonderful fusion of human creativity and AI-driven technology. Music professionals collaborated with AI for weeks to craft this pioneering genre, blurring the lines between human and machine contributions. Lyrics, compositions, and vocal performances can be generated by either humans or AI, creating a truly collaborative and democratic musical experience.

Aishan and Ruh, though virtual, possess distinct personalities and capabilities. They offer an alternative to traditional artists, overcoming physical limitations and performance fatigue. This launch signifies ITG's dedication to exploring new frontiers in entertainment, where AI and human creativity converge to redefine the future of music.