The newest addition to the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO) didn’t have to audition for its role with the organization. In fact, the orchestra’s leadership thinks it has definite promise.

AI (artificial intelligence) will be joining the orchestra this year, courtesy of a grant the IPO was awarded by the Open AI Foundation. 

The $40,000 grant came from the foundation’s People First AI Fund, “which invests in community-based nonprofits working to strengthen local communities and expand the opportunity of AI,” according to the press release about the grant announcement. 

The IPO, based in Park Forest, was the only professional orchestra to receive a grant.

“IPO champions live music and live arts experiences. IPO also recognizes AI’s potential to strengthen civic and cultural life, if applied thoughtfully,” said Christina Salerno, executive director of the IPO. “We see AI not as a replacement for human artistry, but as a tool to expand access, enhance participation and amplify community voice.”

Salerno said they will make sure the policy regarding AI is aligned with the IPO’s mission and values and that it is responsible and equitable.

An artist herself, Salerno joined the orchestra in January 2017. She was a professional ballet dancer, who danced with the Boston Ballet, Zurich Ballet and the Royal Ballet of London.

“I was lucky. I always worked for companies that worked with amazing orchestras,” she said.

While still dancing, Salerno decided she wanted to pursue a career in arts administration, went back to school and earned a master’s degree. Before coming to IPO, she was executive director of Salt Creek Ballet for seven years.

Salerno said she thinks it’s vitally important to know as much about new technology as possible. The grant puts the orchestra at the forefront of using emerging technology as a creative organization.

She sees AI as a tool to “potentially elevate our administrative capabilities” and help the orchestra reach more people and increase attendance at live events. The IPO plans to use the grant primarily for the organization’s administrative side, not its creative side. 

It plans to hire a firm that specializes in AI implementation for creative organizations. 

The IPO will use the grant for things like training staff and finding ways to use AI to streamline administrative tasks. It also could be used to help analyze data and learn how to reach new audiences by looking at what has worked for other organizations, she said.

“This is a first step. We’re hoping we can inspire other creative organizations to adopt AI in an equitable way,” Salerno said.

Another possible use of AI would be with developing written items like blurbs or even whole papers, Salerno said.

She said she would like to see if AI can do a better job of capturing the tone and nuances of a writer. “Right now, it (AI) does flatten things,” she said.

The orchestra already has received the funds for the year-long grant. It’s required to do a check in with the foundation in six months time in June. 

The orchestra’s musicians will not be directly impacted by the grant. In the last contract negotiations, the subject was addressed, she said.

“We agreed to language which states that AI is not permitted to replace any live human beings with a machine or artificial mechanism,” Salerno said.

As long as the composer has specified that a live musician should play the piece, human musicians will play, though some composers have been using electronic or AI generated music, Salerno said.

“We believe strongly in live art and live experiences. We’re not looking to supplant any of that,” Salerno said. “Human artistry can’t be replaced at any level.”

Salerno’s personal experiences using AI have not always been successful, she said. “I’m really excited about learning what I’m doing wrong and finding out how to do it right,” she said.

Salerno recognizes that there are definite pros and cons regarding AI.

“I’m worried about the ecological footprint of AI as a human being,“ she said, and questions when AI should be used and when it shouldn’t. “I’m not naive enough to think it will change everything.”

But she recognizes that the technology is here to stay and is willing to give it a try.