Bach, Artificial Intelligence, and Me: An Unexpected Harmony

I never imagined that Johann Sebastian Bach’s music would become the soundtrack to my career in artificial intelligence. Yet, here I am. Every time I immerse myself in the complexities of algorithms and deep learning models, I feel the intricate harmonies and rigorous structures of Bach's compositions resonate within me.

Baroque music, especially Bach’s, is a kaleidoscope of themes, variations, and counterpoints woven into perfect harmony. This organised complexity strikingly mirrors the operation of neural networks, where thousands of interconnected nodes collaborate to solve intricate problems.

Counterpoint as a Metaphor for Deep Learning

When explaining the fundamentals of deep learning to my students, I often use the analogy of counterpoint. In counterpoint, each voice has a distinct role, yet together they contribute to the beauty of the final piece. Similarly, each neuron in a neural network serves a specific function, but it is the interaction among all neurons that determines the final outcome.

From Bach’s Fugues to GANs

Another analogy I find particularly illuminating is between Bach’s fugues and Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs). In a fugue, a principal theme is introduced and developed through a series of variations. GANs operate in a similar fashion: a generator creates new data (such as images or music) in an attempt to mimic a specific style, while a discriminator evaluates the quality of these creations. The result is a kind of “creative competition” that produces increasingly realistic and original outputs.

A Unique Learning Experience

To make this connection between music and AI more tangible, I’ve designed a project that involves my students creating generative models capable of composing music in Bach’s style. Using tools like Google’s Magenta library, students delve into concepts such as sequences, recursion, and algorithmic creativity, experiencing firsthand how artificial intelligence can be harnessed to create original works of art.

Beyond Technique: Creativity

But Bach teaches me something deeper than mere technique. He demonstrates the importance of balancing rigour with creativity. Bach’s music is rigorous in its structure yet profoundly creative and emotive. This inspires me to encourage my students not only to master the technical tools of AI but also to cultivate an aesthetic sensitivity and an ability to innovate.

A Harmonious Future?

I’m convinced that artificial intelligence has the potential to significantly enrich our lives, fostering new forms of art, science, and technology. Equally, I believe that music, particularly Bach’s, can be an inexhaustible source of inspiration for those working in this field. For Bach's music is not just a product of intellect but of the soul—only the soul produces such beauty. Homo artem creat