TWO brothers have secured investment to support the development of a new smartphone app that uses artificial intelligence to help people learn to play the guitar.
Dr Chris Rhodes and Jamie Rhodes co-founded Lichfield-based GuruAI alongside award-winning composer and academic Dr Hongshuo Fan.
The business has now received backing from deep technology specialists DataSpartan.
It comes after the development of their new platform which will be capable of watching and listening to a musician through a smartphone before providing personalised feedback on pitch, timing, rhythm and technique.
Chris said that cuts to funding for arts education had led them to look at ways to support people to continue pursuing musical interests.
He added:
"Too many people – especially young people – face access barriers such as cost.
"We want GuruAI to help others feel the same passion and impact music had on us."
GuruAI is now seeking additional investment to accelerate development, expand learner testing and prepare for a wider market launch.
They also hope to be able to expand to other instruments once work on their guitar system is complete.
The brothers said that the aim was not to replace music teachers, but to help provide useful support and feedback between lessons and create opportunities for people who cannot access tuition.
Jamie said:
"In the age of AI, we are carrying some of the spirit of making, building and solving problems into a new setting to help deliver music education to more for less."
