2025 -
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and blockchain technologies are becoming increasingly intertwined with human creativity, leading to novel forms of ‘posthuman’ musical expression that decentralize traditional notions of creative agency, authorship, ownership, and the ontology of the artwork. This poses unprecedented challenges and opportunities for new creative practices that need to be investigated, both scholarly and artistically.
This project explores the transformative impact of AI and blockchain on contemporary musical practices, investigating the evolving concept of Posthuman Music as a forward-looking perspective that brings together human and non-human creative agents. Through analysis of existing practices and experimental prototyping, this project aims to forge new conceptual frameworks and craft new creative tools to enhance emerging posthuman creative practices.
Combining theoretical investigations with practice-based research across four Research Strands (RS) unified by a common interdisciplinary research field, the project focusses on: investigating the ontological and conceptual consequences of AI and blockchain for music (RS1); developing digital media frameworks for situating posthuman musical practices (RS2); creating innovative compositional tools and techniques using AI and blockchain (RS3); experimenting with smart contracts in music through an experimental Creative Lab, generating new works and prototypes (RS4). Outputs include monographs, papers, conferences, compositions, digital performances, NFTs, experimental toolkits, and a dedicated web platform.
Led by an experienced ERC Principal Investigator and an international team from musicology, music philosophy, composition, digital media studies, and computer science, the project will develop innovative creative practices, transforming music concepts for the digital era. Supported by a seasoned advisory board, the project will adapt to evolving conditions, ensuring cutting-edge research.
