AI as Catalyst: Transformative Impacts on Digital Performance, Computer Music, and Cultural Creativity

This research programme investigates the transformative effects of artificial intelligence on Digital Performance and Computer Music, at the intersection of Sound Studies and Digital Art. It explores AI's dual role as both a disruptive force and a creative asset in Electronic Computer Music, with implications for music composition, sound design, and broader cultural practices. A central argument positions AI not as a mere tool, but as a creative collaborator operating across pre-production, production, and post-production. This perspective is grounded in concepts such as 'data-sound' (Paquete, 2022)—how AI uses digital data to create algorithmic sonic terrains—'techno-animism' (Arielli, 2022), and the AI as a 'hyperobject' (Morton, 2013) that surpasses human control. The project also introduces the 'AI-Chimera', a hybrid entity that merges human and machine creativity, and engages with 'metacreativity' (Navas, 2022) as a framework for human-AI interaction. Methodologically, the research adopts a mixed-methods, practice-based approach structured in three phases: (1) Exploratory—theoretical foundation and critical analysis; (2) Creation and Production—practice-based studies, including 4D sound spatialization and immersive sound and image research; and (3) Evaluation and Dissemination—academic publications, conferences, and public events. By positioning AI as a catalyst for practical and technological transformation, the project contributes to the discourse on the future of artistic practices in an increasingly AI-driven environment. Note on Scope: This document provides a public overview of the research programme "AI as Catalyst: Transformative Impacts on Digital Performance, Computer Music, and Cultural Creativity". The project was originally written in 2024 and submitted to the FCT CEEC Individual Scientific Employment Grant call, where it was selected for funding (2024.09158.CEECIND). This summary presents the conceptual framework, methodology, ethical considerations, and artistic outputs of the project. The full research proposal—including detailed timelines, specific deliverable quantification, and contractual commitments—remains internal and is available upon reasonable request. This is a public summary intended for dissemination and citation.