Rethinking Data Practices for ‘Intelligent’ Musical Interfaces

Elizabeth Wilson, Creative Computing Institute, University of the Arts London

• Installation
• Paper PDF link
• Room Location: Ground floor
• Session: Full Conference Installations

Abstract:

“As artificial intelligence continues to become embedded in musical instrument design, this Alt.NIME paper proposes examining how data is used in any such system. It extends the concept of small data beyond dataset size alone, proposing a framework that emphasises limited, self-curated, marginalised, and situated datasets. To explore current practices, we conduct an exploratory audit of submissions to the NIME 2026 proceedings that employ artificial intelligence or data-driven techniques. The audit investigates how datasets are described, whether their sources are documented and accessible, and the extent to which smaller or situated datasets are used. Through this investigation, we aim to highlight the visibility (or absence) of dataset transparency within NIME research.”