Google I/O 2023 Opens with a Stunning AI Music Performance by Bard and Dan Deacon

https://twitter.com/Google/status/1656414101373874176

Google I/O 2023, the annual developer conference of the tech giant, started with a bang on May 10, 2023. The event, which is being held online and in-person at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California, began with a stunning musical performance by Bard, an AI system that can create original songs based on a given genre and mood.

Bard was developed by Google’s Magenta team, which focuses on exploring the intersection of machine learning and creativity. Bard uses a deep neural network to generate melodies, harmonies, and lyrics, then arranges them into a coherent song structure. Bard can also collaborate with human musicians by responding to their input and feedback.

The technology shift with AI is as big as they come. That’s why it’s so important that we make AI helpful for everyone — and we can’t do it alone. We look forward to building the future together. Read @SundarPichai's blog post from #GoogleIO ⬇️ https://t.co/YZefBMh26Z

— Google (@Google) May 10, 2023

For the Google I/O 2023 opening act, Bard teamed up with Dan Deacon, an American composer and electronic musician known for his experimental and energetic sound. Deacon provided some initial musical ideas and parameters for Bard to work with, such as the tempo, key, and genre. He also played some live instruments and vocals along with Bard’s output.

The result was a captivating and catchy song that showcased Bard’s musical abilities and Deacon’s artistic vision. The song blended elements of pop, rock, and electronic music, and featured lyrics that reflected on the theme of Google I/O 2023: “What are you developing for?”

The audience at the Shoreline Amphitheatre and online were amazed by the performance, which demonstrated how AI can enhance human creativity and expression. Bard and Deacon received a standing ovation from the crowd and a warm welcome from Sundar Pichai, Google’s CEO, who took the stage after them.

Pichai praised Bard and Deacon for their collaboration and innovation and said that Google I/O 2023 would showcase more examples of how Google is using AI to solve problems and create new possibilities for users and developers. He also announced some exciting news and updates about Google’s products and services, such as Android 14, Google Pixel 7a and Pixel Fold, Google Search, Google Assistant, Google Cloud, and more.