Key Takeaways:
- The University of Miami’s CHAI project is putting together the first pop concert where humans and AI created everything together, showing how people and technology can be creative partners.
- The project demonstrates that AI doesn’t have to replace musicians – instead, it can open up new creative options while keeping human artists at the center.
- When musicians work directly with AI, they can move past their fears about new technology and learn to use its capabilities, just like musicians have adapted to other tech advances throughout history.
The University of Miami’s Frost School of Music is organizing a unique concert featuring music created by both humans and AI together. The April 12 event, part of the Concerts With Humans and Artificial Intelligence (CHAI) project, will showcase work created jointly by students, faculty, and AI systems.
“This will be the first organic pop concert where everything was co-created with AI,” says Tom Collins, associate professor who leads many of the school’s AI initiatives. “Students are using AI to push in new creative directions, leveraging cutting-edge technologies like timbre transfer and source separation.“
Frost School professor and CHAI co-leader Tom Collins co-hosting a panel on art and AI at the University of Miami College of Engineering’s Rothberg Catalyzer AI Summit of the Americas. Photo: Jenny Abreu Photography.
The concert, supported by a $100,000 grant, will combine live musicianship with AI-created elements, plus visuals and props. Raina Murnak, assistant professor and artistic director for the project, says they’re incorporating humor to address AI concerns: “There are so many fear-based feelings about AI these days, so we’re leaning into that,” Murnak explains.
Frost School professor and CHAI co-leader Raina Murnak, front, with other members of CHAI at Weeks Recording Studio. Photo by Frost School student and CHAI member Amari Stewart.
This concert happens at a time when many musicians worry about AI replacing musicians. Graduate student Amanda Pasler, who uses AI with her rock band, has a different view: “It’s a useful tool, but just a tool and not a replacement. The internet scared everybody at first, too.”
“We don’t use it to write because we’re old-fashioned that way,” said Pasler, laughing. “But we use some AI tools as a studio mixing aid. It’s nothing we rely on to do all of it, but it’s a good way to get suggested mixing ideas like automated panning. Then we take those suggestions and do everything ourselves. It’s a useful tool, but just a tool and not a replacement. You know, the internet scared everybody at first, too, and now it’s something we rely on.”
While many musicians worry about AI taking over music, there are actually several good reasons to see AI as helpful rather than threatening:
- AI works best as a creative partner, suggesting new ideas when you’re stuck on a song.
- CHAI participant Amanda Pasler found that AI handles boring technical work, giving musicians more time to focus on the creative parts they love.
- Learning to use AI tools adds valuable skills to your resume in today’s tech-focused music industry.
- AI makes sophisticated music production possible for artists who don’t have expensive equipment or formal training.
- Most importantly, AI can’t duplicate the human experience and emotional connection that makes music meaningful – that remains uniquely human.
“Every new music technology has come with the same fears of humans being replaced,” notes Dr. Murnak. “Tech advances will continue to happen. I’d rather empower myself to understand it and leverage its use to make my job easier.“
The CHAI team has already made their mark as finalists in last year’s International AI Song Contest, showing how artists can work alongside new technology.
“When you’re not fully aware of a technology’s potential and limitations, it’s natural to fear it,” Collins says. “I encourage people to engage with AI to inform their decision about whether it’s scary or just another tool.“
