200+ Million Moves Per Second

[.:.impossible]

In 1997, a human was defeated by a computer in a game of chess. That computer was said to have been able to consider approximately 200 million moves per second. Seven years later, the battle between man vs. machine continues, as technology exponentially expands.

If a computer can analyze 200+ million chess scenarios per second, is it possible that an application with similar operating power could improvise with live musicians? Could a computer actually become a "player" piano. Even if it could, would it be able to simulate the touch and feel of an actual pianist?

Just something I began to ponder for no good reason sometime in the last few days. I know there are some chess players here, and I know there are some computer fanatics as well. I think the one thing we all have in common here is jazz, so this discussion is really open to anyone who has the time to consider the possiblity of a computer learning to comp behind and improvise a line with live musicians.

[BruceH]

I say why not? As computing power expands, a computer should at least be able to, ah, emulate musical improvisation. I can envision a time when one could program a computer to improvise "in the style of" Bird, say, or Rollins, or Morgan, or anybody.