South Korea’s national orchestra was guided through their performance on Friday night by an unlikely conductor, EveR 6, an android robot. The event occurred in Seoul and marked the first time in the nation’s history for such an endeavour.
The Korea Institute of Industrial Technology is credited with the design of EveR 6. This two-armed robot made its grand appearance at the National Theater of Korea, steering the musical prowess of the national orchestra.
Upon taking center stage, the humanoid-faced robot offered a bow to the spectators before setting the pace of the concert with a wave of its arms.
Choi Soo-yeoul, who shared the conductor’s podium with the robot, reflected on the intricate gestures required of a conductor. He confessed, “The robot could execute these intricate movements much better than I had anticipated.”
However, Choi noted a “fundamental shortcoming” in EveR 6: the robot’s inability to listen.
Lee Young-Ju, an audience member with a background in traditional Korean music, opined that while the robot had flawless rhythm, it lacked the “breath” necessary to maintain the orchestra’s readiness to interact and respond instantaneously – an attribute he believes is vital to performance.
“There’s room for improvement for the robot to take on the role effectively,” commented Lee.
Another concert-goer, Song In-ho, 62, felt EveR 6’s performance was essential. “Perhaps if it were furnished with artificial intelligence capable of comprehending and dissecting music, it might be able to conduct entirely independently,” Song speculated.
In Friday night’s showcase, the robot conducted three out of five pieces, one of which was jointly directed with Choi.
Reflecting on the event, Choi posited, “The recital showcased how robots and humans can exist in harmony, complementing each other instead of one replacing the other.”
Despite mixed reviews, this unprecedented event in South Korea offers a glimpse into the potential future of AI in the arts and further highlights the intersection of technology and culture. As we advance technologically, it will be fascinating to witness how machines like EveR 6 evolve and adapt to more complex and emotionally-driven tasks. Whether conducting an orchestra, painting a canvas, or penning a novel, the role of AI in the arts is set to challenge and reshape our understanding of creativity and human expression.
