Ukri Centre Doctoral Tender

Funded Value6240207Funded PeriodJul 19 - Dec 27FunderEPSRCProject StatusActiveProject CategoryTraining GrantProject ReferenceEPS0226941The UKRI Centre for Doctoral Training in Artificial Intelligence and Music AIM will train a new generation of researchers who combine state-of-the-art ability in artificial intelligence AI machine learning and signal processing with cross-disciplinary sensibility to deliver groundbreaking original research and impact within the UK Creative Industries CI and cultural sector.The CI sector is a substantial part 5.3 of the UKs economy and employs more than two million people it is the fastest growing sector and contributes 92bn of GVA. Bazalgettes Independent Review of the Creative Industries highlights their central importance to the UKs productivity and global success and notes the particular importance of the music industry where the UK is one of very few countries who are net exporters.The need for increasing the scale of doctoral training in AI is clear. The UK governments Industrial Strategy White Paper 2017 identifies the development and maintenance of leading research in AI as the first of four Grand Challenges. To address this challenge Hall and Pesentis review recommends support for more PhD places in AI as does the Royal Society who noted a critical need for increased training at PhD level and a substantial skills shortage in Machine Learning 2017.The core area of this CDT is Music Information Research MIR also known as Music Informatics which involves the use of intelligent information processing methodologies to understand and model music and to develop products and services for creation distribution interaction and experience of music and music-related information. The proposed research focus is structured along three themes identified as requiring intensive attention and integration1. Music understanding encompassing machine listening intelligent signal processing and data- and knowledge-driven approaches to music content modelling and analysis2. Intelligent instruments and interfaces encompassing embeded intelligence and intelligent sensing for music performance production listening and education and applications of AI to human-computer interaction in creative contexts3. Computational creativity encompassing generative music composition automated accompaniment systems and systems for expressive musical performance and assisted production.Research in each area will be guided by and grounded in real application needs by a unique set of industrial and cultural stakeholders see support letters from big players in media entertainment to innovative SMEs and cultural institutions encompassing a wide spectrum of the digital music world.The CDT will take a cohort-based approach drawing on a supervisory team of over 30 academics led by QMULs Centre for Digital Music C4DM a world-leading research group in the