A warning from ABBA star Björn Ulvaeus

ABBA superstar Björn Ulvaeus believes artificial intelligence (AI) can lead to “spectacular things” for the music industry. However, he warns that this should not be at the expense of the “human hand”. During an interview with the BBC prior to his appearance at a business conference at Bridlington Spa in East Yorkshire, the 79-year-old shared his insights about the future of music.

The balance between technology and humanity

Ulvaeus insists that AI will change the way we write songs. “Whether it will be better, I don't know, but it will affect society as a whole,” he says. He believes that AI can lead to spectacular things, but warns that we need to be careful. “It shouldn't rule out the human songwriter, producer, or artist,” he adds. According to Ulvaeus, it takes a human hand to add that extra bit needed to make a really good song.

A personal note

In addition to his vision for AI, Ulvaeus also shared some personal experiences. He gave his approval to the coastal town's fish and chips and expressed disappointment that he couldn't spend more time in the area. “I had planned to rent a car and drive through the north of England, but unfortunately I have to go back home,” he explained.

ABBA's enduring popularity

Speaking about his ABBA career, Ulvaeus said that his band was “meticulous” and that he still finds it difficult to understand why they remain so popular. “You can look at numbers and intellectually you understand and acknowledge it. But emotionally, it's really hard to explain,” he added. “Over the years, I've thought about it a lot, but I just can't explain it. I'm reminded of it almost every day and I'm still amazed.”

Björn Ulvaeus' insights provide a valuable perspective on the balance between technology and humanity in the music industry. While AI will undoubtedly open up new possibilities, the human touch remains essential to creating music that truly resonates with people.

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