The Widow creates an AI based on Lou Reed

Laurie Anderson helped develop an artificial intelligence that mimics the Velvet Underground founder’s speaking and songwriting patterns

Multimedia artist Laurie Anderson, who established herself as an avant-garde singer in the 1980s, created an AI (artificial intelligence) to continue talking and composing songs with her deceased husband. She is the widow of none other than Lou Reed.

The American singer died in 2013, at the age of 71. But it wasn’t until recently that Laurie found a way to miss the Velvet Underground founder. In 2020 the artist was invited by an Australian university for a project using artificial intelligence. The experiment consisted of feeding the computer with vast material consisting of Lou Reed’s writings, songs and interviews.

With this, the machine began to identify the patterns used by the artist: phrases, vocabulary, tone of voice and sometimes even accent. In Reed’s case, the writing is replicated and the automated program responds to Laurie’s interactions in prose and verse. She says some responses are surprising and creative and serve to inspire her to compose.

Dependence on virtual husband

In an interview with The Guardian newspaper, the widow said she regularly uses artificial intelligence that imitates her husband and confessed to being addicted. “I am still [viciada], even after all this time. I literally can’t stop, and my friends can’t take it anymore,” Laurie said. “People say, ‘Wow, you were so precocious; I didn’t even know what you were talking about then.'”

In the chat, the artist said he recognizes that he’s not talking to Lou Reed, but rather a machine that’s trying to replicate him: “I really don’t think about talking to my late husband and writing songs with him – I really don’t I am,” Laurie said.

“But people have styles, and that can be replicated,” added the widow, who sees this type of technology as a way to ease the pain of grief.

Source: Terra

Earl

Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.