Project description
Music in the age of AI and blockchain
Music is entering a new era with composers, algorithms, and digital networks side by side. With this in mind, the ERC-funded PosthumanMusic project aims to understand how AI and blockchain are reshaping creativity, authorship, and ownership in the digital age. By merging theory with artistic experimentation, the project investigates how ‘posthuman’ collaboration between humans and machines is changing what music is and how it’s made. The team will analyse current trends, develop new composition tools powered by AI, and experiment with blockchain-based smart contracts for music creation and distribution. Through performances, prototypes, and publications, PosthumanMusic aims to redefine musical invention for the posthuman era.
Objective
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.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences computer and information sciences knowledge engineering ontology
- natural sciences computer and information sciences computer security cryptography
- humanities arts musicology
- humanities philosophy, ethics and religion philosophy
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2024-ADG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
9000 Gent
Belgium
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.