- Resounding Success of the First Music & AI Conference at El Molino, Barcelona
The first Music and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Conference concluded successfully this Thursday after two intense days of reflection and debate at El Molino, Barcelona. With a sold-out audience and a program combining lectures, panel discussions, and performances, the conference has become a benchmark for addressing the future of the music and cultural sector in the AI era.
The event, organized by the Barcelona Music Lab Foundation, stood out for the high level of its speakers, including José María Lassalle, Teresa Rodríguez de las Heras, and Abel Martín, as well as for the profound insights on the impact of AI on artistic creation, regulation, and cultural rights.
Over these two days, more than 230 musicians, technologists, legal experts, researchers, industry professionals, and students shared reflections on the impact of AI, highlighting the need to ensure that this technology becomes an ally rather than an obstacle to human creativity.
- Key Takeaways from the Conference
Human Creativity: The Essence of Culture
“Without creators, there is no culture,” stated Roger Dedeu during his talk. This idea echoed throughout the sessions, where it was emphasized that the artist’s soul cannot be replaced by any algorithm. Discussions revolved around ensuring that AI remains subordinate to human creativity, which is unique and unrepeatable, and the need to develop a new concept of “originality” for works generated by AI. - Regulation: A Challenge for the Future
Teresa Rodríguez de las Heras highlighted the current shortcomings in communicating AI-related regulations, noting, “We lack the ability to present regulations as modern and accessible tools.” At the same time, Abel Martín emphasized the importance of revisiting traditional frameworks used to design regulations. According to several speakers, a secure legal framework is needed to allow creators to work without risks while safeguarding their rights. - AI: A Responsibility, Not a Problem
Far from being seen as a threat, experts agreed that AI challenges rather than replaces creators. “AI is not our problem; it is our responsibility,” was a recurring sentiment. This includes ensuring that AI systems are transparent, accountable, and respectful of cultural and intellectual rights.
The conclusions emphasized the need for international consensus on AI regulation and the importance of recognizing culture as an essential asset. The event concluded with a reflection that encapsulates the spirit of the conference: “These conferences are just the beginning. We have opened a necessary debate to ensure that AI becomes a tool that complements rather than replaces the unique creative capacity of individuals,” stated Miquel Curanta, director of the Barcelona Music Lab.
The conference served as a meeting point and dialogue platform to address critical issues for the future of culture in the digital age. The results will be compiled into a final document to guide future initiatives.