On the role of artificial intelligence in music research

Abstract

Abstract This paper gives a partial overview of what is currently going on in the emerging field known as Artificial Intelligence and Music (AIM). In particular, it focuses on Artificial Intelligence (AI) research areas which, according to a personal view, can significantly influence current music research. The paper highlights how AIM is not a field in which AI technology is merely applied to music. Both music and the AI field can benefit from studies in this discipline: music is a complex experimental domain which can be particularly useful in the formulation and verification of theories about intelligence. This hypothesis is confirmed by the recent works in this field, and particularly by the papers included in this issue of Journal of New Music Research. This paper attempts to set them against an AI global view. The author focuses on the role of some knowledge representation paradigms, such as logic‐based formalisms and network representations. In particular, the role of time in AI formalisms is discussed. Another important related issue, scarcely considered in music research, regards planning and action theories. Furthermore, he discusses the necessity of integrating different formalisms into hybrid systems, to cope with the different complex problems existing in music activities. He emphasizes the importance of this topic showing, as a case study, some design issues on a particular music knowledge representation system.