AI-Created Singer Gains Attention With Viral Anthem in Iran

An artificial intelligence-generated singer has become the voice behind a viral anthem circulating widely among Iranians.

The character, named Nava, was created by Farbod Mehr, an Iran-born artist based in London who says the project was intended to give people a voice during a period of political turmoil.

Nava performs the song “Javanan-e Vatane” (“Youth of the Homeland”), which draws on lyrics by the early 20th-century Iranian poet Aref Qazvini, known for writing about national identity. The track has gained significant attention online, with more than 13 million views on Instagram alone.

Mehr said the AI singer was also designed to represent Iranian women, who face restrictions on singing publicly in Iran. Unlike human artists who have faced legal consequences for protest music, the virtual character cannot be arrested.

The song was released during a time of intense developments in Iran, including a crackdown on anti-government protests and the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran. Many listeners have embraced the music as a reflection of the moment.

Beyond a single song, Nava has released several tracks and maintains a social media presence that blurs the line between virtual and real life. The AI singer is also scheduled to appear as a hologram at upcoming performances abroad.