Welcome to the very first *podcast* episode of Softmax! I'm Mark Redito, and today I have the pleasure of speaking with Nao Tokui, an electronic music producer, DJ, surfer, and CEO of Neutone, a groundbreaking startup that is building next-generation AI tools for musicians. In our conversation, we dive deep into the intersection of creativity, art, and technology, exploring how AI is not just a tool, but a "mind mirror" that can reflect and enhance our creative processes. Nao's insights into redefining creativity in the age of AI are truly thought-provoking and offer a fresh perspective on how we can push the boundaries of our artistic endeavors.
Nao and I discuss his fascinating AI DJ project, where he uses AI to mimic and reflect his DJing style, revealing new facets of his creative process. He shares how AI, with its unique logic, can sometimes choose the perfect song for a DJ set or push him out of his comfort zone, leading to unexpected and inspiring results. "Through the interaction with AI, you can notice your own bias and taste," Nao explains. This idea of AI as both a mirror and a tool is central to our conversation, as we explore how these technologies can introduce novel insights and expand the creative search space.
We also address common misconceptions about AI, such as the fear that it will replace human musicians, and discuss the difference between consumer-oriented AI tools (eg. text-to-audio models) and those designed for music makers. Nao emphasizes the importance of making AI tools accessible and customizable, allowing artists to experiment and discover new sounds. "I don't want to be in a world where big companies govern what you can do with AI," Nao says. Our discussion highlights the potential of AI to not only automate but also augment and elevate our creative capabilities. Join us as we explore these fascinating topics and more in this compelling first podcast episode of Softmax!
Note: to compensate for audio quality, AI tools were used to enhance the recordings. You may hear some imperfections in the episode. Thanks for understanding!
Links:
https://twitter.com/naotokui_en
https://qosmo.jp/en/publication/naotokui-book
https://neutone.ai/
https://naotokui.net/
Surfing human creativity with AI feat. Nao Tokui (Neutone)