The MIT Music Technology and Computation (MTC) Graduate Program, launched in fall 2024, aims to bridge the disciplines of humanities and engineering. On May 13, the program held its inaugural MIT Music Technology Research Showcase, drawing a standing-room-only audience to present diverse and captivating research and musical performances.
The 90-minute event featured the first five enrolled students alongside several PhD students and faculty, showcasing various research projects including real-time visualizations of AI co-improvising on piano, sound-art installations based on noisy network communication, hip-hop dance circles generating music from dance, and using electroencephalogram (EEG) signals to identify musical melodies imagined by the brain.
SHASS Dean Agustín Rayo emphasized the program's goal of positioning MIT at the forefront of music technology theory and application, highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration to shape future expressions in an AI-driven world.
MTC Director Eran Egozy described the event as a “harmonious hybrid of concert and symposium,” reflecting on the impressive achievements of students in just one intensive year. One student, Claire Southard, presented a machine-learning model to identify musical notes hidden in EEG signals, aimed at helping musicians with movement disorders perform by translating their brain activity into music.
Another student, Mariano Salcedo, developed a custom web application that allows users to create unique emergent visuals driven by real-time streaming music. He emphasized the need for human-centered technology that considers social impact.
Associate Professor Anna Huang highlighted the importance of centering human musicians in AI interactions and discussed a new music technology course combining motion capture and human feedback. The program plans to admit 10 master's students for the 2026-27 academic year, broadening its applicant pool to include diverse backgrounds.
Blogger's Review: The launch of MIT's Music Technology and Computation Graduate Program not only showcases the potential of integrating technology and art but also reflects the educational sector's emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration in the age of AI. Such programs are set to enhance the future of music creation, especially in providing opportunities for musicians with disabilities, carrying profound social significance. The research outcomes presented indicate a promising future for musical innovation, and we look forward to the new possibilities they will bring to music creation.