Can AI write a better song? Challenge accepted by Ontario band at Toronto Comicon panel [Video]

The human element of songwriting, the ‘soul’ of the lyrics and melody of something that is expected to resonate with the humans listening to it, is not going to be replicated by a computerized program any time soon, if ever.

But can artificial intelligence write a hit song?

An Ottawa-based ‘nerd rock’ duo who channelled their decade-plus experience as performers – both live and through live streams – have been putting that question to the test at panels and songwriting workshops at fan conventions and college campuses for the past five years.

Ian Nichols and Brock Tinsley of Double Experience, who produced Capital Music Awards-nominated crowdfunded albums in 2020 (Alignment) and last year (Undefeated), brought their live songwriting panel, AI vs Audience: Who Will Write the Superior Song? to Toronto Comicon on the weekend for the “ultimate showdown” of man vs machine.

The premise was simple: Nichols and Tinsley would ask for ideas from the crowd in the room, along with suggestions via their Twitch channel. Themes …