AI and Music Production Residency
Toronto Public Library
Innovation Synopsis
In Spring 2026, Toronto Public Library hosted a 12-week Innovator in Residence program that explored the creative potential and ethical considerations of artificial intelligence (AI) in music production.
Through talks, panel discussions, hands-on workshops, demonstrations and one-and-one appointments with the Resident, participants learned how AI can support songwriting, composition, sound design, and production workflows, while considering the evolving relationship between generative music and technology.
400 participants of all experience levels and ages experimented with emerging tools, built new skills, and explored the future of music and AI in a collaborative learning environment – while anchoring human expression at the core of all art and creativity.
The Residency also served as a successful pilot. The outcomes and lessons learned provided a proof of concept for future program delivery in this subject area and on a larger scale.
Challenge/Opportunity
TPL’s Innovator in Residence (AI and Music Production) program furthers TPL’s Strategic Plan priority to provide residents with access to AI tools and skills building opportunities – and addressed several challenges and opportunities:
TPL programs about AI generally focus on introductory concepts. There was an opportunity to meet community interest around understanding the intersection between AI and digital creativity.
While AI has benefits, there are significant concerns – including intellectual property, environmental impacts, privacy, security and algorithmic bias.
Access to generative AI tools is costly and there currently remains no licensing model for shared devices in public institution settings.
AI and music production is a new and niche subject. Finding the right person with the knowledge, expertise and teaching experience to deliver the residency was key to the program’s success.
Key Elements of Innovation
TPL’s residency was hosted at Fairview Library – with a new Digital Innovation Hub and community interest in digital content creation. Our program addressed challenges and opportunities through these innovations:
Through an Expression of Interest, the Library engaged Joel S. Silver as our Resident. Joel has 25 years of experience in composition, songwriting, teaching and experience with AI tools.
Working with TPL, Joel’s residency explored the benefits and challenges of AI in music production. Programs included a lecture series that explored the history of generative music. Guest speakers explored AI and copyright, AI data centres and environmental impacts, and licensing. Workshops allowed participants to learn about how to use AI tools responsibly.
With no licensing model for providing AI tools on shared public devices, TPL purchased 11 individual licenses for tools, including Suno, to carry out a small-scale program that could serve as a prototype for larger programs.
Achieved Outcomes
TPL’s AI and Music Production residency achieved numerous successes:
Delivered 38 workshops to 374 participants.
Hosted 24 one-on-one meetings to provide guidance about participant questions, creative projects and AI music production techniques.
Several participants visited the library for the first time and travelled from other parts of the city.
Survey responses indicated a 97% program satisfaction and 94% of respondents noted increased confidence in using AI tools. One attendee shared: "I absolutely love learning from Joel. He is delightful, passionate, and a great teacher," while another reflected, "This is one more reason why I'm in love with TPL and libraries in general; so innovative and relevant and interesting."
Demonstrated a proof of concept that public libraries can deliver AI skills building programs on specialized subjects – while addressing community concerns, challenges with AI and centering humans at the heart of creativity.
