NEW YORK — The developers behind Watson, IBM’s Jeopardy-winning supercomputer, have recently announced plans to introduce the intuitive learning machine to the art of DJing.
Watson, who is already being represented by public relations and artist management firm the Agency Group, will be programmed to apply his existing algorithms to accurately respond to the desires of persons on the dance floor.
“I am very excited to DJ,” says Watson, while cycling through millions of Beatport pages and simultaneously diagnosing cancer cases more accurately and efficiently than doctors.
Lead developer David Ferrucci states that he feels Watson will be able to “bring the soul back to electronic music.”
“The current EDM trend has left electronic music completely lifeless and without emotion,” says Ferucci.
“We’re hoping Watson will be able to bring electronic music back to its most organic and truest state.”
According to the IBM team, Watson’s preferences lie in tech house, a genre he finds to be “formulaic yet groovy.” Presently, some of Watson’s favourite artists include Stimming, Krause Duo, and The Glitz.
Watson’s complex programming should — in theory — allow him to mix better than any human could. After sharing the line up at a secret after-hours gig with former LCD Soundsystem member Nancy Whang, it seems as though Watson’s skills may be already topping those of human DJs.
Watson giving Nancy some advice on how to make her transitions smoother (Photo: Otis Tempai)
“Watson killed it,” says Whang while reminiscing about their back-to-back performance at last year’s Xerox employee Christmas party.
“He was extremely receptive to the crowd’s reactions to his selections; taking them on a journey that was awe-inspiring yet comforting for the length of his three-hour set…he is definitely a better DJ than I am,” she went on to confess.
The Agency Group has already begun forwarding Watson promotional releases from producers all over the world. The group says electronic musicians can expect to see Watson’s feedback on their releases right next to Richie Hawtin’s and Seth Troxler’s in the near future.
