AI can’t replace human touch in music or HR: Mohit Chauhan at TechHR India 25

The TechHR stage has seen many legends, but when Mohit Chauhan took the spotlight, he brought not just melodies, but meaning. In a candid and heartfelt conversation with Pushkar Bidwai, the celebrated playback singer, composer, and self-described “illiterate musician”, reflected on his journey, the future of music in the age of AI, and why the human element can never be replaced—neither in melodies nor in management.

“I studied Geology,” Chauhan smiled, recalling his early life in Himachal Pradesh. “I come from a family where everyone is in the civil services. So naturally, people thought I’d become a doctor or engineer. But music was always part of me—roaming in the mountains, it would come to me like the wind.”

Though his academic path was rooted in science, his heart beat to a different rhythm. “There was no Plan B,” he admitted. “Music wasn’t just a choice—it was who I was. I didn’t think about backup options. I just stuck to it, and God—and people—were kind.”

No Formula, Just Feeling

When asked about his creative process, Chauhan shrugged off any suggestion of strategy or structure. “Honestly, I don’t have a concrete answer,” he said. “Take Dooba Dooba—that song was shot completely underwater, one of the first in India. But I didn’t plan it to be a hit. I was just true to what I was doing, sitting in Dharamshala, strumming a tune.”

That song, like many others in his repertoire, came to him like a spark. “It’s alchemy,” he said. “The magic is in identifying the best part of what’s coming to you. That’s what matters.”

As discussions about artificial intelligence dominated the TechHR 2025 conference halls, Chauhan was asked the inevitable question: Can AI compose music as well as humans?

“It already does,” he admitted. “AI can create songs in 5 or 10 minutes. But the soul? That’s missing.”

He drew a powerful analogy with human resources. “Just like HR is about people and relationships, music is about connection. You can’t automate empathy. AI might mimic sounds, but it can’t feel pain, joy, or love. That’s why the human element will always win.”

Chauhan acknowledged the growing influence of AI across industries, including entertainment. “I hear people saying songs today don’t have shelf life,” he noted. “But that’s a phase. Just like in the ’80s, when certain styles dominated and then gave way to ghazals. We’re in another such phase. It will pass.”

Lessons from Rehman and Rockstar

Speaking of his work with the iconic A.R. Rahman, Chauhan was both reverent and grateful. “I sang 13 songs for Rockstar. Each one was different, each a challenge. That kind of versatility—that exposure—was amazing.”

But beyond the music, it was Rahman’s philosophy that stayed with him. “Live, laugh, and do good—regardless of the situation. That’s what I learned from him.”

Despite his accolades and success, Chauhan still considers himself an “illiterate musician.” “I learnt singing by listening to Kishore Kumar on the radio,” he laughed. “No formal training, just feeling.”

In a room full of HR professionals and corporate leaders, Chauhan offered a piece of advice that resonated far beyond the stage. “Many of you have passions—painting, writing, singing. Don’t let your day job kill them. Keep feeding your passion. It doesn’t have to pay you. You just have to keep doing it.”

He urged the audience not to abandon what makes them feel alive. “Teach, practise, perform—just don’t let your passion die.”

Asked about failure, Chauhan paused before responding. “It depends on what you define as failure. For me, the important thing is: don’t give up. Be alive. Have fun while doing what you love.”

Beyond the stage, his personal life reflects his compassion. “I feed thousands of stray animals daily,” he shared. “I have 12 or 13 rescues at home. Helping living beings keeps me grounded and reminds me what matters. Be kind. Be happy.”

Mohit Chauhan: More Than a Musician

In his closing message, Chauhan urged the HR community to carry forward one truth: “Whether it’s music or management, we’re all here to connect, to care, and to create something meaningful.”

As HR leaders navigate an increasingly digitised and AI-assisted world, Mohit Chauhan’s message was a timely reminder that the heart of work—and music—still lies in humanity.