The flight of creative process: Erland Cooper on birds, memory, value and music in an age of AI

In this conversation, Scottish composer Erland Cooper joins Pascale Davies, multimedia journalist at Euractiv, for a lyrical and thought-provoking exploration of creativity, technology, and the natural world. Known for his immersive and often experimental compositions that weave together field recordings, orchestral textures, and poetic reflections on the landscapes of Orkney, Cooper discusses how birdsong, memory, value, and place shape his artistic vision.

At the heart of the conversation is Cooper’s perception on our evolving relationship with artificial intelligence as a potential tool for collaboration. He reflects on his experiments within composition and how technology can challenge, mirror, or even extend the human creative process. The conversation also delves into the ethical and emotional dimensions of using technology to interpret and stimulate our connection with the nature world, particularly through sound.

Expect a soaring dialogue on what it means to be a creator in the age of machines, and what birds can teach us about being human.