zubeen-garg-s-voice-to-be-digitally-preserved-against-misuse

Assam is taking steps to ensure that the voice of legendary singer Zubeen Garg is digitally preserved, safeguarding it from unauthorised use or tampering in the age of AI. Singer-composer Manas Robin, a long-time associate of Garg, said the initiative will create a “digital signature” to verify the authenticity of his voice and prevent it from being misused.

 

"With technology making massive strides, especially with AI-generated software, it is very much possible that Zubeen’s voice samples taken from the internet could be used by other singers/ performers as their own in the future," Robin said at Sarusajai stadium, where he joined lakhs paying homage to Garg on Monday.

 

"We will work on preserving Zubeen’s voice digitally and creating such a ‘digital signature’ that the moment his vocals are played, its origin can be detected," he added.

 

Garg, 52, died while swimming in Singapore on Friday. His mortal remains reached Guwahati on Sunday, and his last rites will be performed with state honours on Tuesday on the city outskirts.

Also read: Zubeen Garg's final journey unites lakhs

 

"If a person’s face is super-imposed on the body of another person digitally, it can be detected. Similarly, systems are being developed where the origin of a voice can be traced to its digitally preserved version of the original person or singer," Robin explained that the approach is similar to facial recognition technology.

 

He noted that Garg had already inaugurated an archive of his songs days before his death, and that digital preservation efforts are underway via his YouTube channel and other online platforms. "It will also ensure that no one can tamper with Zubeen’s voice," Robin said.

 

The singer’s passing has prompted a resurgence of interest in his music, both within Assam and globally. "This outpouring of spontaneous grief, this gathering of lakhs of people to pay their respects has made the world sit up and take note of what Zubeen Garg meant for Assam and why," Robin said.

 

Highlighting the technical mastery of Garg’s singing, Robin added, “Singers sing in high octave, but the pressure it puts on their voice can be detected. But with Zubeen, it came naturally."