USW hosts AI music sessions to ‘demystify and inspire’ the sector

Sŵn Industry Sessions, a programme of panels and training opportunities designed to help music industry hopefuls to take their career to the next stage, took place as part of the annual festival on Saturday 21 October.

Collaborating with Cardiff music venue Clwb Ifor Bach, USW held three sessions, entitled ‘What on Earth just hAIppened? Breaking barriers through the use of emerging music technology’ at Tramshed Tech.

There, music producers Damon Minchella and Tom Manning – who have worked with some of the biggest names in music, from Iggy Azalea to The Who – demonstrated the power of emerging technology, creating and producing a brand new song in real time with songwriter and performer Lydia May. USW’s immersive AI light and sound experience, PIXEL, also ran throughout the day.

Lucy Squire, Head of Music and Drama at USW, said: “We were delighted to bring a cutting-edge programme of technology and innovation to Sŵn where the audience could see, hear, touch and discuss how AI is being used for musical and audiovisual production, whilst also addressing the possible ethical, industrial and social consequences of its use.”