Technology company Huawei has combined AI and human expertise to compose the final two movements of Schubert’s Symphony No. 8.
The piece has been incomplete for 197 years, and is commonly known as the ‘unfinished’ symphony.
The ending was created by using an AI model to analyse the timbre, pitch, and metre of the existing first and second movements of the symphony. From here, the third and fourth movements were created. The tech company then worked with composer Lucas Cantor to arrange an orchestral score from the melody.
Huawei showcased its AI-generated ending with a 66-piece English session orchestra at Cadogan Hall in London. Those in the audience included celebrities Myleene Klass, Erin O’Connor, Laura Whitmore, Daisy Lowe, Luke Pasqualino and Nicola Roberts.
Walter Ji, president consumer business group at Huawei Western Europe, said the company was always searching for ways technology can make the world a better place.
“We used the power of AI, to extend the boundaries of what is humanly possible and see the positive role technology might have on modern culture,” Ji said.
Lucas Cantor added: “The result of this collaboration with AI proves that technology offers incredible possibilities and the significant and positive impact it can have on modern culture.”
This is not the first time a tech company has used orchestral music to reach its audience. Dell EMC similarly created a digital orchestra.
