Grimes announces “AI Lullaby,” an app-based music generator for sleeping

The project is a collaboration with Endel, and was inspired by her child X Æ A-XII.

October 28, 2020

Grimes' new project is "AI Lullaby," a new algorithm-based music generator that composes music to help children and adults sleep. It was created in collaboration with Endel, an app using AI capable of generating music in real-time to match or enhance certain mental states. It's available now until December 23 in the Endel iOS app, with a release on Android and Amazon Alexa coming later this year.

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The music of AI Lullaby is created by Endel's algorithms using pieces of music composed by Grimes. Endel's website says AI Lullaby is "scientifically engineered to help children and adults sleep and nap better." In an interview with The New York Times published today, Grimes said her work on the project was inspired by her six-month-old son X Æ A-XII. “When you have a baby, you’re always using white noise machines,” Grimes said. “It’s much easier to get them to sleep if you train them on some kind of audio situation. And so I was just like, could this be more artistic?”

In a statement obtained by Pitchfork, Grimes said: “I think, if approached properly, AI has the ability to radically fix our world... I appreciate Endel because they represent the growing trend of humane technology. I hope that the fields of AI safety, research, philosophy, as well as humane AI and spiritual technology etc. can grow a lot in the coming years. We’ll need it!”

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A portion of the proceeds from the app will benefit A.I. for Everyone and the Naked Heart Foundation.

Thumbnail photo by Mike Windle/Getty Images for Coachella

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Grimes announces “AI Lullaby,” an app-based music generator for sleeping