Roland’s Holistic Approach to AI for Music Creation
This presentation introduces Roland's approach to AI for music creation and will include a technical demonstration of a new AI-powered application. Roland will also overview its holistic strategy for AI which considers R&D, policy, and governance mechanisms. As a general-purpose disruptive technology, Artificial Intelligence is in the process of impacting virtually every aspect of life, including creativity. As a leading music technology innovator, Roland is highly optimistic about the potential of AI to enhance and empower human music making but is deeply aware of the need to innovate responsibly.
Paul McCabe
SVP Research & Innovation
Roland Future Design Lab
Paul McCabe is the SVP of Research and Innovation and leader of Roland Future Design Lab, Roland’s horizon-scanning R&D group. In more than 30 years with Roland, Paul has held positions in product management, marketing, and served as the President & CEO of Roland Canada before relocating from Vancouver to Los Angeles with his family in 2017. As the leader of Roland Future Design Lab (RFDL), Paul oversees a growing team of engineers and technologists exploring the frontiers of emerging tech, trends, and shifts in creative culture around the world. Paul is a family man, composer, sound designer, and lover of science fiction and ice hockey.
Ichiro Yazawa
Advanced R&D Group Leader
Roland Future Design Lab
Ichiro Yazawa has worked in product development for music production and connectivity technology development such as USB, IEEE1394, Ethernet Audio, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and MIDI 2.0. Through supporting development of Audio, MIDI, the USB layer, and standard drivers for major operating systems, I have had many friends all over the world who are full of irreplaceable ideas and skills.
In recent years, I have been responsible for a wide range of research and development including AI, Web3, IoT, and Cyber Security. I have been meeting friends with more diverse talents and following paths to new possibilities.
Personally, I enjoy listening to ambient music and playing keyboard on weekends.
Kazuyoshi Sasamori
AI Product Manager
Roland Future Design Lab
I studied signal processing, information processing, and computer architecture at university, and have been working as an engineer at Roland for many years since then. I have been involved in the development of pianos, drums, and synthesizers, focusing on hardware design and sound system design. I have also spent time at BOSS team, working on guitar products.
Some of my memorable projects include the speaker system for the V-Piano Grand and the noise reduction for V-Drums. In recent years, I have served as a Product Manager, planning and developing synthesizers such as the JUNO-DS, RD-2000, and FANTOM/FANTOM-0. Following that, I took on the role of technology development in the R&D department, and I am currently leading research and development as an AI Product Manager at the Roland Future Design Lab, with a focus on the utilization and implementation of AI. The future looks incredibly exciting. Personally, I am an avid fan of synthesizers and rhythm machines, and I love being surrounded by a plethora of hardware—sometimes I feel like my body is made of electronic sounds. However, I also appreciate Jazz and Acoustic music. In my free time, I enjoy outdoor activities and spending time with my dog.