Over the past year, we have explored new ways to integrate artificial intelligence into musical creation and live performance, developing tools that support and expand artistic expression.

This partnership has led to multiple experiments, compositions, and performances, culminating in an exclusive showcase at the AI Action Summit in Paris and the upcoming presentation of a 360-degree immersive show at La Gaîté Lyrique.

DeLaurentis’s latest album, Musicalism, is deeply connected to this research. Drawing inspiration from synesthesia “the ability to associate sounds with colors” she crafted each track to reflect a specific hue and emotion. AI-assisted composition played a key role in shaping two of these pieces:

“Tangerine Land” was the first track she developed using Notono, an AI tool designed by our Music Team at Sony CSL – Paris. Our system helped her construct an organic rhythmic foundation, allowing her to explore new creative directions.

“Mystic Blackwood” features a bassline generated with our AI technology. Some elements were adjusted for tonal reasons, but key AI-generated textures, like the subtle “ghost notes,” remained an essential part of the final piece.

Beyond studio work, we wanted to experiment how AI could enhance live music experiences. With PESTO (Pitch Estimation with Self-supervised Transposition-equivariant Objective) by researcher Alain Riou and interactive generative visuals designed by Sony CSL researcher Alexis André, DeLaurentis’s voice became a real-time visual instrument.

Alain Riou – “When I started developing this AI, I never imagined it would be used this way. The creativity of Alexis and DeLaurentis has transformed what I thought was just a simple tool into a true means of artistic expression. This collaboration perfectly illustrates how technology can serve art. Thanks to it, DeLaurentis pushes the boundaries of interaction between sound and image in a natural and intuitive way—using nothing but her voice.”

During performances, her vocal input directly shapes and controls the evolving visuals, creating a dynamic interaction between sound and image.

This setup was meant to debut in a 360-degree immersive concert at La Gaîté Lyrique, combining spatialized sound (Dolby Atmos) with real-time generative visuals. 

Alexis André explains:

“Our goal was to develop AI that responds to the artist, not the other way around. DeLaurentis guides the system with her voice, and the AI responds in real time to her creative choices.”

The event was unfortunately postponed but is expected to take place later this year. Stay tuned…

A major milestone for this collaboration was its presentation during the AI Action Summit in Paris on February 9, 2025. This private event, closing the cultural section of the summit hosted by Rachida Dati, offered a live demonstration of our AI-driven music-visual integration. It highlighted how AI can enhance, rather than dictate, artistic expression.

Now what’s next? With more than a year of research, prototyping, and live tests, our collaboration has demonstrated how AI can serve as a creative tool rather than a constraint. Looking ahead, we are excited to continue refining these technologies and bringing them to the stage. The postponed immersive concert at La Gaîté Lyrique remains a priority, promising a unique experience where voice, sound, and visuals merge seamlessly. A tailor-made project designed as a fleeting research experiment, unfolding over a series of live performances and culminating in a final music video to be released soon, in collaboration with Sony Music France, for one last dialogue between human and machine.

                                                From left to right: Alain Riou, Yanis Amedjkane, DeLaurentis, Cyran Aouameur & Alexis André

Sony CSL – Paris continues its mission of bridging AI research and real-world artistic applications. By working closely with musicians and visual artists, we aim to develop technologies that genuinely expand creative possibilities.

We are happy to work with DeLaurentis solidifying her reputation as a visionary artist, constantly seeking new frontiers. Musicalism is another way of seamlessly blending musical traditions and technological innovation, a new chapter in her career.

Credits:

Direction, visuals: Alexis André

AI model, training: Alain Riou

Audio plugin development: Yanis Amedjkane