Can AI replace the humanity of Classical Music?

January 23, 2026 at 11:23 AM UTC
The Next Web
Original: EN
Can AI replace the humanity of Classical Music?

European tech and digital policy is navigating a complex landscape, with a recent significant development involving the application of artificial intelligence in creative arts. The Beethoven Orchestra Bonn's 2021 performance of an AI-completed movement from Beethoven's 10th symphony highlights the burgeoning capabilities of AI in artistic domains. This endeavor, a collaboration between computer scientists, music historians, and composers, utilized the "Beethoven AI" to analyze the composer's style and historical influences to generate new musical pieces. The creation of the "Beethoven AI" involved a sophisticated process of analyzing Beethoven's existing sketches for his 10th symphony, alongside works by influential composers like Johann Sebastian Bach. This analytical framework allowed the AI to generate compositions that aim to reflect Beethoven's unique musical signature, drawing parallels to how generative AI models like ChatGPT produce text-based outcomes. Such advancements underscore the growing sophistication of AI's ability to engage with and replicate human creative processes. This integration of AI into classical music raises profound questions about authorship, creativity, and the very definition of artistic expression. While the technology offers novel avenues for musical exploration and performance, it also prompts discussion about the irreplaceable human element in art. The implications extend beyond music, signaling a broader trend of AI's encroachment into traditionally human-centric fields, prompting ongoing debates about its role and impact across various sectors of the digital economy.

Curated and translated by Europe Digital for our multilingual European audience.

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Publication: The Next Web
Published: January 23, 2026 at 11:23 AM UTC
All rights remain with the original publisher.