  We propose an efficient approach for actively controlling the Rabi
oscillations in emitter-cavity hybrids based on the presence of an element with
optical gain. Inspired by recent developments in parity-time
($\mathcal{PT}$)-symmetry photonics, we show that nano- or micro-cavities where
intrinsic losses are partially or fully compensated by an externally
controllable amount of gain offer unique capabilities for manipulating the
dynamics of emitters. In particular, one can drastically modify the dynamics of
the system, increase the overall occupation numbers, enhance the longevity of
the Rabi oscillations, and even decelerate them to the point where their
experimental observation becomes less challenging. Furthermore, we show that
there is a specific gain value that leads to an exceptional point, where both
emitter and cavity occupation oscillate practically in phase, with occupation
numbers that can significantly exceed unity. By revisiting a
recently-introduced Rabi-visibility measure, we provide robust guidelines for
quantifying the coupling strength and achieving strong-coupling with adaptable
Rabi frequency via loss compensation.
