ABBA's Benny & Björn on AI-music, virtual avatars, and Eurovision: The Newsnight interview

ABBA's Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson have told Newsnight that AI-generated music should have warnings on it.
The pair who co-wrote hits such as Mamma Mia, Dancing Queen, and Thank You for the Music, say people should be able to distinguish between tracks composed by songwriters, musicians, artists, and bands, and those which have been created by artificial intelligence technology.
Ulvaeus believes AI could have more of an impact on our lives than the internet.
Newsnight’s Victoria Derbyshire spoke to them in a joint exclusive interview to mark the one year anniversary of London’s ABBA Voyage show, where ground-breaking technology has created 2D versions of the four band members called avatars.
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[@VNV67]

I was a country boy from West Virginia. The first time I heard ABBA was in Vietnam. Now mind you that I was only use to hearing Bluegrass and Country Music. I was in base camp and one of the guys in our unit had a reel to reel Akai machine. He said listen to this Dave and tell me what you think. First of all I had never heard sterio at all, it had been all mono. . When I put those headphones on and he played the tape of ABBA I got hooked on them. It was like thie music was all around me even on top of my head. So I have been a ABBA fan from either 1967 or 1968. And the same happened when I listened to Mamas and Papas, Monday Monday. So the first thing I did when I got gome was to buy a Akai reel to reel tape machine. So Mr. Benny Andersson you and you groupe changed not only me but my whole music experence. And I thank you and yours for that. And a Big Wave from the state of Florida.

[@googledoodle3977]

Good lord ! My fiancé was in Virginia too, travelled to ten states in the US as a young Engineer on training,mostly in Pennsylvania,Pittsburg ,had a tremendous few months roaming over the states in the 1990’s, lots has changed,wonderful to stand ,walk ,drive on the Aztec gold three sisters bridge, whatta country USA was long back in the 1990’s. I was literally gushing with joy when he gave me loads of gifts 🎁 brought to me and given to my family when he returned from the US!😂

[@followveganismforahealthyl2790]

@@googledoodle3977 That must have been your bride price @ 22 😅.

[@Tuinuiski]

Bjorn hasn't aged much. Benny is looking well. Great interview, love Abba ❤

[@90skid97]

All these 4 members are so smart. Glad to the guys are still on their game doing well. Sure the girls are living fabulous lives as well.

[@anthonysmith8800]

Im so excited to be going to the Abba Voyage 1st year anniversary show tonight. Saw opening night last May and can't believe it's a year ago!! Jaw-dropping experience. Absolutely sensational. Abba are the gift that keeps on giving ❤❤

[@1966jtgf]

Benny and Bjorn had boundaries even on each other. That's why their friendship lasted this long.

[@hjordistorfa]

ABBA will always be with us.. 70 & 80 & 90 "Disco music" is Timeless fenomen that became a lifestile one can't help but like and love ABBA Thank you from my heart for sharing ✨️💖✨️😎✌️💕 Great intervju BBC 👍

[@SRDhain]

I've had ABBA GOLD for years, and it's one of the finest collections of pop music you can enjoy.

[@j.f.7509]

That was great! Thank you! I grew up with ABBA when I was a kid, them and the Beatles 😄 Imagine, even Lemmy Kilmister loved ABBA 😳

[@Liverpoollatest]

Wow, where was that? Abba and The Beatles together in the same street !

[@googledoodle3977]

Sweden is a amazing country,was in Kiruna 67 latitude on the Arctic circle, visited a LKAB mine,two kms below the ground,it’s a underground mine,best experience of my life,ironically Kiruna town is getting shifted away from the mining area, wonderful people,saw a few elks,reindeer’s roaming in the street,when you’re in Sweden expect lot of Elk’s,huge creatures ,cute things. And am a fan of ABBA too , they’re songs,are the best, my kid listens to it now,I am done with all these .😊

[@googledoodle3977]

Swedish Engineers are the best 😊

[@DarrenMalone253]

One of the very first bands that started my love of music maybe I was eight or 10 🙌

[@sebastianwrites]

Same here, I think I was 6ish.

[@HandgunSafe]

Fake AI tracks of ABBA will always be missing something critical: Intention, the artists's decisions, the process of translating what is imagined into finished music.

[@Liverpoollatest]

Give it 10 years and you won't be able to tell the difference. AI is the worst thing ever created by humans. It's like a turkey inventing a digital axe and chopping block

[@MultiSky7]

@@Liverpoollatest Exactly. 6:14 ... Both of them don't even realize that they singlehandedly open the flood gates of their own destruction (and rest of the REAL musicians/art in general) by using AI in form they did. It's not their creativity, quality and humanness behind their music that would decide weather their careers would be destroyed with the AI. It's the stupidity of the audience that decides - and people are getting dumber by the day, and it's intentionally created stupidity. There would be so many lost jobs because of it (cutting the cost of humans = higher revenue) ... why would ABBA, or anybody else, be something that would stop the process of destruction that AI is creating... money makers don't give a flying f about it. Drones were introduced to the market (and accepted with open arms) as a great tool to record people's weddings or concerts - and now, they are killing people around the world (and that was their primarily purpose). Say goodbye to the music and concerts as you knew it. CGI and holograms is what we will be looking at. Artificial BS plastic.

[@catthouser9032]

Great band. Love them. Very creative to keep it going so long. I won't count them out but age is working against them.

[@123billydog]

technology is such an interesting beast. Between 1983 and 2019 there are countless Andersson & Ulvaeus songs, almost ABBA without Agnetha & Frida. Maybe were nearing a time when those half ABBA songs will become full ABBA songs if the voices of A&F can be recreated to sing them. The only remaining question would be would it work, would such recreations be able to give the amount of feeling the ABBA ladies gave to what they sang, even in the most trite cases.

[@Henningsen37]

Thank you for creating the show in London • I was there in 2022 , it was fantastic . And thanks for the new album 🎉❤

[@doriangray_1999]

Björn: *"lt's crap"* (and no beep...!! from Newsnight when the AI lyrics were trashed) 😂

[@garinakbar1907]

Bjorn and Benny are like that cool grandpa you want to hangout with and talk a lot about music

[@boris8787]

Imagine ABBA performing in the movie town of Chillingbourne. 🎥🎥🎥

[@tristanvillalontriss9220]

AI should be limited, IMO. It shouldn't be a part of all life's aspects, because we can't still deny that something originally comes from the human mind has an impact that shakes one's heart❤.

[@georgiehollander2199]

I HOPE they bring the Voyage Arena to Australia. I am in Western Australia,,,,but to go to Melbourne is a lot easier than flying to London. I saw ABBA in 1977 in Perth. The best concert of my life. Still love them as much as I did in 1973.

[@MoppetShow]

Just LOVE ABBA, I really hope they do back down to Australia; im Sure their fans would just enjoy that

[@terrykemp1876]

Yes please!!!!!

[@ABBARoxAus]

Yes Benny ! I knew I liked you 🥰 Australia would love to have ABBA Voyage come here !! Thank you ♥

[@user-ou7bo7dy8g]

Australia is it worth 100%. You had Benny on the phone, is saw the youtube video . But i think London has so many attractions is so far on the edge of Europe, if it had been built in the centre of Europe, many more people would have come to the show. The prices are also too expensive, it's a bit upper class, which is a shame. Because those of us who bought the singles and LPs contributed significantly to its success. Greetings to Australia!

[@caravanstuff2827]

The swedish are a very intelligent people , they can speak floent English...how many watching can speak their language??.❤️🇬🇧🇺🇦

[@ksc743]

They have good, consistent governance, which has prioritised the people - encouraging business development, therefore tax payers, who, together with government, have invested in education, healthcare and infrastructure to name a few. Politicians in most governments are greedy and corrupt and don't care about the bigger picture, as long as they get a fat salary. They certainly don't care about the people, yet most people live in fear and rather vote for "the devil they know" than vote for someone who would be good for the country. People are to blame for the politicians they vote into power - as long as it hasn't gone as far as allowing corruption to completely take hold and an autocrat has taken control, not allowing anyone to vote against him. Scandinavian countries really have worked out the magic solution of how to govern successfully.

[@menaemem7143]

So old band and yet so modern !

[@matthewmccracken7814]

Good to see Gary Oldman is still keeping well.

[@miriammaldonado7296]

I'm so attached to "The winner takes it all"., perhaps becuase the melody, voice, lyrics are so well blended that It makes a wonderful song to listen to.. However since I don't sympathize with the story of the song it feels silly at times and outdated., but then some songs should never be labeled or grow old.. Wonderful band! #2023 ❤🧡💛💚💙💜

[@annikamyren3026]

​@Amish Churn -Butter Agneta and Björn

[@MC-emmcee]

Good interview.

[@martycrow]

Great interview Victoria! Funny and poignant insights from Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson.

[@rickh3714]

ABBAsalutely!🖖

[@user-ks6fl9eu2m]

ABBA proves that being advanced in age does not mean you are finished in your chosen field!!!!!! Love you ABBA enjoy your VOYAGE. CONGRATULATINS on your First anniversary!!!! I need to fill bucket list and join in London , so again thank you for the music!!!!!!! LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!

[@user-dd1st9wu1p]

Great interview 🇸🇪❤️

[@langraman8756]

Abba richer than any rap artist but no bling bling bragging on show ever

[@smokerr61]

Wise old men. ❤

[@ksc743]

Don't forget about South Africans, ABBA, we have loved you so so much over the years!❤

[@ElectricEarldotcom]

They just aired this on "Breakfast." Excellent interview. I normally have the TV in the background on while I'm working on the computer, but this I had to stop and watch.

[@Dude902]

"that's crap" LOL yup he goated for that one alone

[@luciarasantos1106]

Benny envelheceu muito , não sorrir ,como antes !

[@marialauracordoba2981]

I❤ABBA

[@jtou9499]

I just saw an image full of dark gray smoke during daytime, it kind of look like a tall, broad, and thick wall of gray smoke. I think there might be volcano erupts recently.

[@julianaylor4351]

Chat GPT's lyrics sound like a Hallmark greetings card, written by lovelorn a thirteen year old. The AI's English homework. 😁😂🤣

[@helmutreichart9081]

Come to Australia Please😳😳👍

[@user-rw5jb2on5y]

How Human Nature Works Human nature is the desire to receive, also called “desire to enjoy,” and it functions by receiving what is beneficial to itself and rejecting what is harmful. Everything in our lives is built upon this calculation where we first try to distance ourselves from harm, and then seek how to draw ourselves closer to what is beneficial. Human nature also includes a multilayering of systems that work simultaneously on still, vegetative, animate and human levels. One of those systems is our bodily one, which operates involuntarily. If our bodies are healthy, then they know what is good for them and draw that goodness to themselves. After the bodily system, there is the emotional system, which also functions relatively according to instinct. From the emotional system, we move to the mind, and from the mind to the intellect, and so on. That is, we have systems over systems that concurrently work on receiving what is beneficial and rejecting what is harmful. Such is human nature and the essence of our lives. Our every desire, thought and action operates according to the calculation, “How can we receive what is most beneficial to us and reject what is harmful?”

[@ksc743]

Great comment. I'm not American but even in my own country I can see that many go with the herd instead of listening to their inner instincts. They are convinced of certain things that are not beneficial to themselves but they think that they are.

[@simonjohnwright5129]

With regard to artificially depicting original works by original artists post-humously, the profits from the concerts should be inheritory for the offspring of artists and original creators and certainly not for any company, government or 3rd party that intercedes in the organising of the concert, event or performance held, more especially in music, unless otherwise explicitly stated by all of the original creators of the original content, lyrics and arrangements and that stated solemnly of their own sober and sane accord.

[@dotexe55games31]

The BBC just full of IT!

[@XxTheAwokenOnexX]

If musicians are worried about it, i can't wait to hear AI music

[@MultiSky7]

As I said, people are getting dumber by the day.

[@eckehareckbert2731]

I could see bonding and healthy/ fitness time in the future of Mia and Nathan. no barbie bonding😅

[@itsysteam]

Они ещё живы-здоровы?🥰 Был однажды на концерте АВВА в России 🇷🇺

[@JamesSmith-qs4hx]

AI is really punching a hole in the holocaust narrative.

[@DaRkLoRd-rc5yu]

I dont know why i'm okay with ai art, but not music. I cant put my finger on why. I think its because music is so closely tied to expression of emotion. It allows the writer to put their feelings out there and create mood that goes beyond words to connect to all who listen to it. And ai are soulless. Then again there have been anime that uses this as a thought experiment. Vivy is the show. About an android that is programmed to be a singer, and the concept of ai developing the ability to experience and express emotions. Until they get to that point and ai is capable of empathy i see no future in it.

[@CricriRoma-ck9km]

Christian Fx Morrison has the best strategy when it comes to the commercial sector. I'm not sure I've ever seen a trader who fits her position in the trade sector.

[@JadeCardaillac]

Wow I'm surprised. I thought I was the only one exposed to her skills and abilities. I never knew she was so famous

[@hernadeztiler]

She helped me recover all the money I lost to a group of scammers years ago

[@EmmaR.Booker]

She helped me change my 0.4btc to 3.5btc . She is amazing in her field

[@robertocarllos]

I am happy to be a participant and a living testament to your outstanding abilities. I can vouch for her unfailingly. Christiana has never failed me to be honest. Glad to see a testimonial about her here.

[@JordanDonley]

I have a monthly contract with her. I earn from home, I am not involved in any manual labor, all because christiana is my personal trader. I earn more than €26,000 per month. I earn all this from christiana

[@miggymiggy1553]

BBC, don't forget that they have IKEA to...

[@comacuma2869]

BEARD LIKE PUBE, THE ENGLISH MAN GREW

[@rickh3714]

NEITHER are English you twerp!

[@thesuncollective1475]

AI tags, they would have to pass a law. Mmm I wonder if that will happen?

[@erlstone]

emotionally and nostalgically I hope Benny is right... but I don't think future generations will care about the "human" aspect... already they love games, porn and Tik Tok... why not Ai pop stars?... I personally thin it will be the future and publishers / producers will love it to death and make it a priority.. no fickle, demanding artists to deal with.

[@suryanaray7942]

In india According to article 14 of the constitution of India gujarat communal Riots and Best Bakery and Gulbarga Society Riots FBI investigation is necessary through the UNO please protect the peoples in india

[@s.m.1354]

THERMONUCLEAR INTELLIGENCE: Iran obtained information about the TX-15C, a thermonuclear device of 1500 kg, this can be mounted on the Kheibar who has a max payload of 1500 kg for a range of 2000 km. This is the documentary that led them to the right path: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g2euc56Mr9ubZsk

[@pstar7224]

I don't know how to sing , I will use AI, so it can sing in my voice 😂😅

[@suryanaray7942]

In india According to article 14 of the constitution of India Pulwama attack FBI investigation is necessary through the UNO please protect the innocent and brave soldiers in india

[@suryanaray7942]

In india day by day fear of gujarat type communal clashes democracy in danger peoples are feared UNO intervention is necessary please protect the secularism in india and FBI investigation is necessary through the UNO please protect the peoples in india

[@followveganismforahealthyl2790]

AI 😊

[@terrythekittieful]

AI should be used to help advances in medicine and curing disease, totally. AI should go nowhere near in creating music and it should be totally rejected and those who support AI in creating music are putting musicians and songwriters of the human kind out of work.

[@ksc743]

Agree💯

[@redblueiris]

What's the secret behind your friendship? We don't socialize. Typical Swedes lol ...

[@TheForceHungerGames]

😂 The future Coca-Cola or Pepsi cola as in music industry. Ai composed and written. 😢

[@MultiSky7]

6:14 ... Both of them don't even realize that they singlehandedly open the flood gates of their own destruction (and rest of the REAL musicians) using the AI in form they did. It's not their creativity, quality and humanness to put real feelings and meaning behind their music, that would decide weather their careers would be destroyed with the AI. It's the stupidity of the audience that decides - and people are getting (intentionally) dumber by the day. Drones were introduced to the people (and accepted with open arms) as a great tool to record their weddings or concerts - and now, they are killing people around the world. Say goodbye to the music and concerts as you knew it. CGI and holograms is what you will be looking at. Artificial BS plastic.

[@-NiEr]

You have misunderstood some things, I believe. The ABBA members were between 70-80 years old already several years ago, when they agreed to use digital avatars. To old for stage they felt... ABBA would never ever use Auto-Tune, like almost all other artists are using - this century! Auto-Tune is what has destroyed "todays" music! Nowadays artists who can't even sing in tune, are suddenly "singers"! Benny Andersson does not allow any use of Auto-Tune, regarding any of his productions...

[@MultiSky7]

@@-NiEr I am 54, I literally grew up with ABBA, their music shaped my musical taste and set the standards in polyphonic singing, I'm familiar with their standpoints on autotune, playbacks, age, their NO to 1 billion for one more concert tour, their YESes in sampling - using parts of their songs to Fugees - The name of the game and Madonna - Voulez vous, as well as how and why did it get to this CGI AI collaboration. I am a musician (SINGER), I used to work in studios as a backing singer = familiar with technology and how it's used before you even knew autotune existed, and I have MSc in media/journalism - with accent on propaganda (AI, AR, VR ("smart" technology) in commercials). Neither they or I were talking about AI in visuals at their concerts, were were talking about AI in COMPOSING - IN GENERAL. But one follows the other. So, please don't assume what and how much I know.

[@-NiEr]

@@MultiSky7 Oops! Then you know all about music production..? Since english is not my native language, I'll do my best to explain. I'm older than you and started to work as a sound engineer in 1986. - Recording albums and doing live gigs. I also play the piano, having a musical education for that... First time I tested Auto-Tune was in 1997 when Antares presented it here in Sweden. But please feel free to make conclusions about me - on your own...

[@MultiSky7]

@@-NiEr I won't assume anything about you, and you shouldn't either about me (that I misunderstood something). They were talking about AI in composing and problems that is creating - legal / intellectual property, and all other sorts of problems. Once you open the door "only for visuals because of their age", you have opened the flood gates to all of it. (Overton window / engineering of consent) Younger generations already have no criteria of what is quality / trash, because their standards are (intentionally) lowered, their taste is formed through media - social circles (friends) and what is "in trend" on Spotify. Uneducated (mal informed) people you can manipulate and mould how ever you want, you can sell them whatever you want if it's packed well and glittery. They see the "benefits" of AI technology because it's pushed through msm narrative and "convenience" as "smart technology that helps us in our daily duties and give us more spare time", but dangers of it are hidden from people. The dumbing down of people is intentional (acceptance of total digitalization (AI, AR, VR) - digital prison) and that will decide the future of music and musicians i.e. who needs composers if the AI can do their job as well as they do (as well as economy, politics, etc.). That's the larger picture of it, and that's why I said that they (B&B) agreed to their own demise, without even knowing it.

[@-NiEr]

@@MultiSky7 I can understand ABBA having avatars acting for them, since for example Anni-Frid (Frida) had a hip replacement surgery in 2016 and she has to use a cane since then... But I totally agree with you regarding AI generated music composition! I'm 100 % against computers "writing lyrics" and - or "music". It has to be human-made music, to be music in my ears...

[@MySteaming]

As ITV loses £millions quit after This Morning backlash! What do ITV do? The have that king of fools & boring clown supreme Gyles Brandreth on the 1st re-launch this bank holiday Monday! 😂

[@gala448]

Why not visit Russia? That would be great. I'm sure.

[@auro1986]

bbc makes them play music for free then pays them as if they are street performers

[@bobbybigboyyes]

It just goes to show and prove that Victoria knows nothing about music when she tries to get AI writing an ABBA song! Hello, wake up Vicky, their songs were written by HUMANS!!!!!! DOH!!!!!!!!

[@FlyBoyGrounded]

Why do people say, "One year anniversary?" It's an anniversary; that means year. It's the first anniversary- or it's just one year since... I'm surprised that a BBC journalist doesn't know better. The guys she's interviewing have a better grasp of the English language than she 😉

[@notjustforhackers4252]

More none News from the Ministry of truth.

[@qwerp3]

>people complaining about all the depressing news >Complains when light hearted news is reported

[@rickh3714]

Speak for yourself. The opinions of two popular singing artists and composers who have achieved great melodies are not news? Fine. Their opinions matter. Just like anyone's, but their's in relation to popular music & the new threat/conundrum posed by AI music and AI composers / 'musicians' is based on actual talent and experience in the field. A.I. IS news!

[@notjustforhackers4252]

@@rickh3714 "Opinions" are not News.

[@rickh3714]

@@notjustforhackers4252 To you. That's your opinion.

[@notjustforhackers4252]

@@rickh3714 Yes it is. That's not news either, just speculation right? Selective speculation right? Speculation as influence right?

[@anglosaxonmike8325]

It's absolute crap, don't bother with this scam.

[@tudvalstone]

"Stunning architecture"?? Where?. Nobel Prize? When it's not political(Obama etc..) it's just downright silly (Bob Dylan). Sorry, but the only impressive thing about Sweden remains ABBA, and really, only one quarter of it.

[@Isclachau]

Can we get the far left propaganda BBC fact check ‘verify’ to confirm this is actually Benny and Bjorn and not two actors dressed up. Thanks👍

[@user-os7of4sn2z]

🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺 65000 тыс ваших наемников положили в Бахмуте 😂😂😂😂 давай ещё....