Björn Ulvaeus, a founding member of the legendary pop group ABBA, is harnessing the power of artificial intelligence to assist in writing his latest musical project. Speaking at a SXSW London panel this week, Ulvaeus revealed that he is currently three-quarters done with the musical, although he did not disclose further details about its theme or storyline. Despite AI’s growing capabilities, Ulvaeus acknowledges the technology’s limitations.
“It’s very bad at lyrics,” he said, adding that while the AI-generated suggestions are often unfit for use, they can sometimes spark new, creative ideas. “It is like having another songwriter in the room with a huge reference frame. It is really an extension of your mind.
You have access to things that you didn’t think of before,” he explained.
Ulvaeus harnesses AI for new musical
The ABBA star sees AI as more of a tool for overcoming writer’s block rather than a replacement for human creativity.
“You can prompt a lyric you have written about something, and if you’re stuck, you can ask it how to extend from there. Usually, it comes out with garbage, but sometimes there’s something in it that gives you another idea.”
This isn’t Ulvaeus’ first exploration into AI-assisted projects. He played a key role in launching ABBA Voyage, a popular stage show where fans can sing along with holographic representations of the band members.
The innovative show underscores Ulvaeus’ interest in blending technology with music and performance. Ulvaeus also reflected on the reciprocal relationship between AI and human creativity, noting that these AI models wouldn’t exist without the foundational music created by bands like ABBA. Some of ABBA’s iconic songs were used in the 1999 musical “Mamma Mia!”, which will be returning to Broadway for a limited six-month engagement this summer, offering fans another chance to enjoy the classic tunes.
In a world where technology and creativity increasingly intersect, Ulvaeus’ endeavors highlight both the potential and limits of AI in the artistic process.
