Can an algorithm compose a soul? Exploring the first AI pop album.

Technology · Published 6 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Taryn Southern didn't just use AI to write a script; she used it to compose the world's first AI pop album. By blending human intent with machine generation, she explores the frontier where technology meets human potential and the co-evolution of our brains.

Taryn Southern's exploration of artificial intelligence began in earnest around 2017. After receiving a grant from the Google Creator Lab to develop experimental VR content, she pivoted toward exploring the intersection of AI and human potential. This culminated in her 2018 release, 'I AM AI,' which is recognized as the world’s first AI pop album. The project was a sophisticated exercise in collaborative creation, utilizing several distinct AI-based musical composition tools including Amper, IBM Watson Beat, Google Magenta, and AIVA. Rather than letting the machine operate in a vacuum, Southern used these tools to generate instrumental backing music based on specific user-generated inputs.

Southern's work extends beyond mere novelty into the mechanics of modern media and biology. In 2017, she released the single 'Break Free,' which featured music generated via Amper. By utilising blockchain, she tokenised 'New World' to establish a framework where hundreds of partners could share backend royalties from streams and sales. This highlights a broader interest in how emerging technologies can restructure traditional ownership and creative workflows in the digital age.

The 2019 documentary 'I AM HUMAN' highlights her focus on technology's biological effects. Debuting at the Tribeca Film Festival, this work followed three actual pioneers using implantable brain-computer interfaces. This work serves as a companion to her current role as head of special projects at Blackrock Neurotech. There, she focuses on the practical application of these technologies to restore function and provide independence to patients, specifically looking at how technology can bridge the gap between human biology and machine capability.

Southern's transition from a traditional media career—including roles on FOX, MSNBC, and as a YouTuber with over 1 billion views—to an AI strategist reflects a shift in the creator economy. She has since advised major corporations like Google, Dell, and Morgan Stanley on harnessing the creative powers of AI, positioning herself as a bridge between the avant-garde world of tech experimentation and mainstream corporate strategy.

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