Algorave Pioneers AI Co-Creativity: Live Coding and Generative Models in Musical Improvisation

Live coding, a performance art form known as algorave, involves creating music in real-time by writing code. This contrasts with traditional electronic music production by making the coding process visible and performative. Artists like Lizzie Wilson, a researcher and lecturer at the Creative Computing Institute at University of the Arts London, showcase this process, adding a unique dimension to electronic music shows. Wilson enhances her algoraves using a live-coding agent, a generative AI model that produces its own beats and loops. This AI suggests novel sound combinations, introducing elements of surprise and pushing the boundaries of musical improvisation. The integration of AI aims to inspire and critique creative projects, fostering co-creativity. The live-coding agent, developed by Wilson and her colleagues, serves as a tool to explore how artificial intelligence can support human artistic endeavors. By embracing risks and incorporating unexpected AI-generated elements, Wilson's algorave performances offer a dynamic musical experience. Algoraves are gaining popularity, with events held in clubs and art spaces, attracting students and young adults passionate about tech and music.