Our research explores the development and application of musical agents, human-in-the-loop generative AI systems designed to support music performance and improvisation within co-creative spaces. We introduce MACAT and MACataRT, two distinct musical agent systems crafted to enhance interactive music-making between human musicians and AI. MACAT is optimized for agent-led performance, employing real-time synthesis and self-listening to shape its output autonomously, while MACataRT provides a flexible environment for collaborative improvisation through audio mosaicing and sequence-based learning. Both systems emphasize training on personalized, small datasets, fostering ethical and transparent AI engagement that respects artistic integrity. This research highlights how interactive, artist-centred generative AI can expand creative possibilities, empowering musicians to explore new forms of artistic expression in real-time, performance-driven and music improvisation contexts.

Revival is an innovative live audiovisual performance and music improvisation by our artist collective K-Phi-A, blending human and AI musicianship to create electronic music with audio-reactive visuals. The performance features real-time co-creative improvisation between a percussionist, an electronic music artist, and AI musical agents. Trained in works by deceased composers and the collective's compositions, these agents dynamically respond to human input and emulate complex musical styles. An AI-driven visual synthesizer, guided by a human VJ, produces visuals that evolve with the musical landscape. Revival showcases the potential of AI and human collaboration in improvisational artistic creation.