Sony Music Brazil launches accelerator program to drive AI developments in the market

Sony Music Brazil code/stage hackathon

Sony Music Brazil has launched a new Digital Accelerator Programme to drive Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) developments in the Brazilian music market.

Sony Music Brazil will work with a number of companies in the Brazilian developer and start up communities to explore how technology can accelerate the growth of music consumption in Brazil.

A key area of the program’s focus will be identifying music solutions powered by AI and ML that can support artist career development and fan experiences, and developing approaches to help further the adoption of those solutions.

Within the business, Sony Music Brazil is also expanding the education and internal adoption of AI and ML solutions, using learning tools such as Brainstorm and LinkedIn Learning to collaborate virtually.

The Digital Accelerator Programme kicked-off with the launch of Sony Music Brazil’s hackathon challenge, called code/stage , which was the first hackathon from a major music company ever held in Brazil.

With a focus on further advancing ideas for new music tools and experiences powered by AI and ML, code/stage brought together over 300 participants working in areas such as marketing, design/UX and engineering/development, retail and business development, who worked with a team of 30 experienced mentors from Sony Music Brazil over the course of two days.

Participants created over 30 projects during the Hackathon with three winning projects announced as Feel The Music, AVAI (Audio Visual A.I) and Filtr Hit.

Feel The Music is a project that seeks to help the hearing impaired to enjoy music. The AI identifies a music track’s rhythm and translates it into vibrations from a user’s smartphone.

As a result, the hearing-impaired are able to feel the vibrations of a song and immerse themselves the music.

AVAI (Audio Visual A.I) is a project that uses AI to help consumers match music playlists to specific images and Filtr Hit is a project that accelerates the consumption of music through ML.

In addition to receiving prizes, winners will also work closely with Sony Music Brazil’s team to scale their projects for real-world application.

Sony Music Brazil states that it’s planning more collaborations with the country’s tech community via more hackathons, knowledge-sharing panel discussions and talks, and exploring initiatives that build the digital skills of young people primarily from disadvantaged backgrounds.

“By deepening our partnership and engagement with the vibrant Brazilian developer and start-up communities, we want to deliver more connections between music lovers and artists and help artists expand their reach to new audiences.”

Paulo Junqueiro, Sony Music Brazil

Paulo Junqueiro, Managing Director, Sony Music Brazil, said: “We are excited to announce the launch of our new Digital Accelerator Programme as we work to use digital innovation to help further grow the reach and commercial opportunities for artists and provide more transparency and ownership for artists of their own data.

“By deepening our partnership and engagement with the vibrant Brazilian developer and start-up communities, we want to deliver more connections between music lovers and artists and help artists expand their reach to new audiences.”Music Business Worldwide