The Jacobs School of Music will host its second annual “AlgoRhythms: The World of Music and AI” conference Friday and Saturday, with assistance from other partners such as the Maurer School of Law and IU Innovates.
The conference was designed to examine the use of artificial intelligence in musical applications as a case study for how AI could be used in other fields. Its goal is to inspire new inquiries and possibilities for students and professionals in and outside the music industry.
“There are a lot of apps that people are creating in which you can emulate music,” Conference organizer Alain Barker said. “For instance, Suno, you put in a prompt, and it gives you a song. “It's pretty amazing that technology can do that these days. But there are much deeper questions about where are we really going in the world of artistry?”
The conference was developed by Barker, who is the director of the Jacobs Office of Entrepreneurship and Career Development professionals. Jacobs graduate student and OECD special projects manager Isaac Smith helped to organize the music programming and performances for the conference. Maurer adjunct professor and music lawyer Robert Meitus helped with the legal focus of the conference, like exploring the copyright implications of AI usage and more.
“Everyone has to wear lot of hats, and this conference is a lot bigger than it was last year, both in terms of what we're offering, and I think the interest in it has expanded,” Smith said.
The conference will begin on Friday with events happening concurrently at IU Innovates and the law school. Different panels and discussions will happen at both locations, with IU Innovates holding musical performances from 3-5 p.m. and the law school offering networking opportunities from 8:15-9 a.m.
Saturday will feature four panels at Sweeney Hall throughout the day, alternating with other events like mealtimes and presentations. The conference will conclude with a showcase performance by the IU Indianapolis DISEnsemble at 5 p.m. at the Musical Arts Center followed by a 7 p.m. reception at Meitus Strohm LLP located at 121 E. Kirkwood Ave., Suite 300.
The conference can be attended both in person and virtually, but registration is required. For a full schedule visit the Jacobs website.
