The Night AI Made Us Feel More Human by Turning Emotion into Music

In a time when artificial intelligence is often questioned for its impact on human connection, Telkom set out to demonstrate a different possibility: that AI, when guided by collective emotion, can bring people closer together.

Across three Classics on Turf events in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban, approximately 700 guests participated in a first-of-its-kind orchestral experience developed by Telkom, where their shared feelings were transformed into a live symphonic performance played for the very first time in front of them.

As part of its Classics on Turf partnership, Telkom designed the AI-led experience to explore how innovation could elevate tradition. At each event, guests were invited to scan a QR code and share how they were feeling in that moment. Those emotional inputs were translated through a bespoke AI platform into a musical score shaped by the room itself.

“At Telkom, we believe technology should strengthen human connection. Through Classics on Turf, we set out to demonstrate that belief in action, using AI to translate collective emotion into music. When innovation is guided by purpose, possibility begins in the moments that bring people closer together,” said Gugu Mthembu, Telkom Chief Marketing Officer.

The score, composed by the room, was delivered to the orchestra shortly before the finale. Without rehearsal, the musicians sight-read the AI-generated composition live on stage, performing it for the first time in real time.

The result was something unique: an audience listening to music they had collectively helped compose.

“As a conductor, you’re always interpreting emotion.  What made this extraordinary was that the emotion came directly from the audience.  Rather than replacing creativity, the technology amplified it.  This is very much in the spirit of music making, because its collaborative. It is a win for all of us, both audience and performers,” said Kutlwano Masote, Conductor for Classics on Turf.

To experience the moment AI turned collective emotion into music, watch the short film here: https://youtu.be/I9mDAeOKC_k?si=nOotoztjXf5oTZPE

As global conversations continue around the role of AI in society, Telkom’s initiative shows what’s possible when artificial intelligence is guided by human connection