I am a strong advocate for AI and constantly exploring its broad range of applications, particularly in education. Up to now, the intersection of music and AI has primarily been discussed in the context of composition. Several companies have gained attention for their involvement in this area, with some even becoming embroiled in legal battles and disagreements. The two key players in this field are Udio and Suno.
Regarding the educational aspect, there hasn't been significant advancement in achieving the objective of using AI to enhance students' music learning through personalized experiences.
Meet BOB - AI chatbot in music education
Berklee Online has taken a huge step forward with BOB, their new AI chatbot designed to enrich the learning experience. BOB—short for Berklee Online Bot—is not just an answer machine; it’s an educational companion aiming to make the complexities of music theory more accessible and engaging.
The coolest part about BOB is that it doesn’t just spoon-feed answers. Instead, it takes a more conversational and reflective approach, similar to the Socratic method.
When a student asks, “How do I figure out if this song is in a major or minor key?”, BOB doesn’t simply provide the answer. It challenges students to think critically: “What elements of the song—like mood, chords, or notes—might indicate whether it’s in a major or minor key?”
This back-and-forth style helps students actually understand the concepts, rather than memorizing answers.
Empowering Educators, Not Replacing Them
Developed by Gabriel Ryfer Cohen, BOB is an AI tool meant to enhance, not replace, Berklee Online's human educators. Gabriel, who’s been with Berklee since 2016, initially joined as a student support specialist after graduating in Film Scoring.
His passion for technology and education led him to spearhead this project. Instead of buying an off-the-shelf chatbot, Berklee decided to create one that truly understands its students’ needs.
Gabriel’s journey is as impressive as the technology itself. Without a background in advanced programming, he took on the challenge of building a full-stack chatbot from scratch, incorporating Berklee’s course materials, and integrating it into their curriculum—a real testament to his dedication to advancing music education.
Michael Moyes, Berklee Online’s COO, is clear on one thing: BOB is here to support educators and students alike. With BOB handling more routine inquiries and helping students through tricky concepts, instructors can focus on advanced material, delivering more personalized and meaningful lessons.
It’s a great example of technology freeing up educators for the kind of work that really makes a difference.
Built by Berklee, For Berklee
What makes BOB truly unique is that it was built in-house, specifically for Berklee students. Berklee could have easily outsourced this task, but they wanted a solution tailored to the student experience. This internal development process means that BOB isn’t just a generic AI assistant—it’s one that fits seamlessly into Berklee’s learning environment.
BOB is currently being used in Music Theory 101, helping guide students through foundational concepts while also pointing them to resources for further learning. The Berklee Online team is already planning to expand BOB’s scope to other courses and even administrative areas, like registration queries.
AI Meets Creativity
BOB is more than just a chatbot; it’s a symbol of how technology and creativity can work together to build a richer educational experience. Berklee’s approach to developing BOB shows a deep commitment to not just staying current with trends, but actually leading the charge in music education innovation. As they continue to expand BOB’s capabilities, it’ll be exciting to see how this AI helps shape future musicians, making learning deeper, more interactive, and more accessible.
The idea here is that technology isn’t replacing creativity or human connection—it’s enhancing it. Tools like BOB help make education not just about getting the right answers, but about understanding the journey to find them.
What do you think about BOB? ♩
Stay in the KNOW!
Don't miss out on staying informed about music education and AI in education by
Comments