SCOTLAND’S largest independent music school has said artificial intelligence doesn’t pose a threat to music tuition.
Morningside School of Music has tried out a number of new AI technologies to see if they can be utilised while teaching pupils.
And while some aspects can be useful, the school concluded that there was simply too many benefits of human interaction and guidance that could never be replicated.
Director Linda Boyd said face-to-face teachers could pick up on subtle elements around hand position and posture, as well as nuanced ways of motivating and mentoring.
She added that human teachers can also prepare students for live performance and react to individual difficulties and obstacles when improving technique.
The technology trial at the school, which has more than 700 pupils, did uncover some benefits around help with scales, tuning and instant accompaniment in other instruments.
Linda Boyd, director of Morningside School of Music, said:
“We’ve always been keen to harness the very latest technology to help both our pupils and our teachers.
“In recent months we’ve found AI can be helpful in certain areas.
“But on balance, there are just too many human facets of music tuition which cannot be replicated, however advanced the technology.
“AI can’t help with subtle hand positioning or posture guidance, it can’t spot issues around confidence or complacency, and it can’t give genuine and nuanced feedback.
“It will never be able to provide the kind of warmth and engagement provided by a person, and can’t motivate pupils for live performance.
“I know people across the music industry are concerned about the impact of AI on jobs and opportunities.
“But when it comes to music tuition, the human touch simply offers too much for AI to compete with.”
