Charles Petzold

Can an AI experience music? Has an AI ever had an emotional reaction to music? Has an AI ever felt its heart rate increase while listening to music? Has an AI ever felt the hairs on the back of its neck stand up while listening to music? Has an AI ever swooned while listening to music?

Can an AI assemble disparate pitches into the sensation of harmony? Does an AI interpret tempo in relation to its heartbeat? How does an AI experience consonance and dissonance? Has an AI ever heard high-pitched overtones bouncing around a concert hall? Can an AI feel the vibration of deep bass through its feet?

Has an AI ever tapped its foot while listening to music? Has an AI ever played drums on its thighs? Has an AI ever snapped its fingers? Has an AI ever sung in the shower? Has an AI ever whistled when it was happy or scared or nervous?

Has an AI ever banged on pots and pans to test their various tones? Has an AI ever put a shell to its ear? Has an AI ever heard music in the wind blowing through trees? Has an AI ever heard birdsong? Has an AI ever heard music in the sounds of city traffic? Has an AI ever played along with the rhythm of a car’s turn signal or windshield wipers? Has an AI ever plucked a taut rubber band? Has an AI ever scratched fingernails on a blackboard? Has an AI ever heard wind chimes? Has an AI ever touched a musical instrument? Has an AI ever picked out a tune on a piano or guitar? Has an AI ever put a harmonica or jaw harp in its mouth? Has an AI ever struck a gong?

Does an AI remember the first album it bought on its own? Does an AI remember the first time it saw a musical on stage? Does an AI remember the first rock band it saw? Does an AI remember the first time it was swept away by a jazz improvisation? Does an AI remember the first time it heard a Mahler symphony? Does an AI ever experience a flood of memories and emotions when hearing a particular piece of music? Has an AI ever had an earworm? Has an AI ever shared music with a loved one?

Has an AI ever sung to a baby cradled in its arms?

Can an AI understand the life experiences encapsulated in a piece of music? Can an AI comprehend music’s expression of triumph and tragedy, pain and joy, love and heartbreak? Can an AI compose music that encapsulates its own live experiences? Can an AI compose music that says something about the human condition?

Can an AI compose blues without ever having been sad? Can an AI compose a love song without ever being in love? Can an AI compose dance music without ever having danced?

Can an AI compose music?