Masking the Machinery: Can AI Pop Transcend the Uncanny Valley?

Your brave new world now runs on AI. Your phone deploys it, and your playlists feature it. Neural networks aren't just analysing your listening habits – they're creating the music itself. Everyone across the music ecosystem faces the Uncanny Valley where synthetic creation approaches human expression without quite crossing over. Or do they? As AI-generated hooks and collaborations with digital entities climb charts, have our ears already adapted to this new reality?

Just as robots with human voices tend to disturb us more than those with mechanical ones, does AI music creating human emotion still trigger the same unease? Are we adapting to algorithms shaping our lives?

Join us as we explore whether AI-created music can truly connect emotionally, or if the human element remains the essential ingredient no algorithm can replicate. We'll also examine how AI is transforming media creation and consumption and discover whether there's any difference if the prompt comes from a skilled visionary or a second grader.

Speakers:

• David Reiterer, musician at Lucy Dreams
• Jude Rogers, music journalist, The Guardian