Collaborative Artificial Intelligence in Music Production

Nicholls, Steven James (2025) Collaborative Artificial Intelligence in Music Production. Doctoral thesis (PhD), Manchester Metropolitan University.

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Abstract

This thesis explores the use of artificial intelligence in music collaboration and production. A literature review is conducted followed by an autoethnographic study. As part of the study, a series of songwriting sessions are conducted where the researcher observes collaborative songwriting from a position of being embedded in the process. A unique model of collaborative creativity is developed through thematic analysis. A novel machine learning algorithm based collaborative music software tool is synthesized from the findings. The model is based on the emergent creativity model and implemented using a genetic algorithm. The software, which is developed in Python, is deployed as part of a user study conducted at a music industry conference. The results of the study are presented and demonstrate that collaboration was emulated, and the creative output was considered to be high quality. The research aims, success, and limitations of the system are discussed. Future expansion of functionality and integration with other technologies is proposed.