What to look forward to
The lecture will trace music-making machines from 9th-century automata to digital AI, exploring how technology will challenge the boundaries between human musical expression and machines.
Inside the event
From ninth-century Arabic musical automata to the vast, electricity-driven synthesizer of 1896, the idea of machines making music is far older than we might imagine. Digital technologies continue this trajectory in astonishing ways, giving millions the musical powers unimaginable a century ago, and creating a strange ‘arts race’ between human and machine.
But can a machine truly understand music, or only simulate it? As we increasingly integrate technology into our creative lives – and even our bodies – this lecture asks where our musical selves end and that of our machine collaborators begin.
A lecture by Professor Milton Mermikides
This event is also available to watch live online. To register, visit: Do Machines Make Music? | Gresham College
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LSO St Luke's
161 Old Street, London, EC1V 9NG, England, GB. Confirm the venue with the organizer before traveling.
Open in Google Maps ↗Discovered through Cerebral Valley. Details come from the event listing and the organizer page; registration is managed by the organizer.
Last checked: Oct 22, 2026. Confirm current availability before making plans.
Organizer page checked: Oct 22, 2026. Check registration for the latest details.