ROBOT TAUGHT TO COMPOSE MUSIC

What did they do?

Computer scientists at Georgia Institute of Technology in the US have taught a robot to compose its own musical pieces, and then play them on the marimba – an instrument similar to a xylophone.

How did they do that?

The robot – nicknamed ‘Shimon’ – was fed nearly 5,000 complete compositions, ranging from pop songs to classical pieces, and over two million smaller fragments such as riffs, solos and codas. Using deep learning techniques, its AI system then analysed the material and devised its own set of rules for composition. Using these rules, it then ‘ wrote’ and played recognisably musical creations of its own.

Why did they do that?

Project leader Mason Bretan is interested in exploring the possibilities of AI and computer learning in music composition. Maybe the first robot masterpiece is just around the corner.