Abba’s Bjorn Ulvaeus joins chorus against AI copyright overhaul

 

Abba’s Bjorn Ulvaeus joins chorus against AI copyright overhaul

The Swedish musician is supporting creatives and MPs from all parties in lobbying the government to change its plans

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Mark Sellman, Technology correspondent

Tuesday April 29 2025, 10.40pm BST, The Times

Björn Ulvaeus at a discussion on AI and copyright.

photo Bjorn Ulvaeus attended a discussion about AI and copyright at the Palace of Westminster on Tuesday. He said that copyright was the “oxygen that creators rely on for their existence” CARL COURT/GETTY IMAGES

Abba’s Bjorn Ulvaeus has backed stronger rules on “profit-seeking” AI companies to protect the copyright of creatives.

The Swedish musician supported MPs and the creative industries who are urging the government to change course on its shake-up of copyright law.

Ministers want to allow AI companies to take copyrighted works without permission unless the owner opts out.

Creatives say that this favours AI companies because it is not practical to opt out, and want current copyright rules enforced instead.

ABBA after winning the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974.

photo. Ulvaeus, right, with Benny Andersson, Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Agnetha Faltskog at Eurovision in 1974 OLLE LINDEBORG/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

A key demand from the creative sector is that AI companies should have to be “transparent” about the copyrighted works they have used to develop their language models. The companies have resisted this, saying that it is impractical and burdensome.

Ulvaeus said: “Copyright is the oxygen which creators and the creative economy depend on for their existence and survival. They cannot be sacrificed. Unfortunately, there is an alternative and, in my opinion, more dangerous view, driven by profit-seeking tech companies. That view favours a weaker rights framework and broad exceptions to copyright.

“AI training must be subject to clear transparency rules; creators must be able to license their own works; and remuneration of those creators must be guaranteed.”

A government consultation on the plans has closed and ministers are due to respond this year.

MPs and peers have been trying to force the government to implement stronger transparency rules through amendments to the Data (Use and Access) Bill, which reaches its report stage on May 7.

Baroness Kidron, a film-maker and crossbench peer, said: “We can be a world leader in providing the commodity AI firms are most desperate for: high-quality creative content. But we can only seize this growth opportunity if the government gives us meaningful transparency which will allow creators to hold AI firms to account for copyright theft.”

Samantha Niblett, a Labour MP who co-chairs the parliamentary internet, communications and technology forum, said: “I am a tech optimist and I believe that AI can transform our economy for the better. But this will not happen if AI is built on content stolen from UK citizens, with a regulatory environment that favours Big Tech monopolies.

Group photo of Baroness Kidron with Björn Ulvaeus and others at a discussion on AI and copyright.

photo Ulvaeus met legislators including Baroness Kidron, to the right of Ulvaeus, at Westminster on Tuesday CARL COURT/GETTY IMAGES

“The government has a golden opportunity to introduce transparency provisions in the Data Bill, spurring a dynamic licensing market for the data that is AI’s essential fuel and becoming the most trusted country in the world when it comes to tech and AI.”

Caroline Dinenage, the Conservative chair of the culture, media and sport select committee, added: “My committee has found that an opt-out copyright regime will damage the UK’s reputation among inward investors. In fact, far from being a barrier to AI innovation, copyright is essential to it.

“Strong copyright law — enforced by meaningful transparency provisions — will ensure that creators can continue to produce the works that are essential to safe, reliable generative AI models.”

Peter Kyle, the technology secretary, said: “I have always been clear that no changes will be made until we are absolutely confident that we have a practical plan that delivers on each of our objectives.

“We want to provide a solution allowing both sectors to thrive, and this is the message I reiterated when I met with Bjorn earlier this week.”

https://www.thetimes.com/uk/technology-uk/article/abbas-bjorn-ulvaeus-ai-copyright-v8ghmqdkr

abbaregistrobox: https://abbaregistrobox.blogspot.com/2025/04/abbas-bjorn-ulvaeus-joins-chorus.html

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Björn in London

 jamesaa1988

Palace of Westminster

In London to see @mammamiamusical with @matthewwanderlust and casually walking through Westminster we bumped into… @bjornulvaeus !

https://www.instagram.com/p/DJAKTJTI8gR/?img_index=1

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CISAC

Peter Kyle

@peterkyle

https://x.com/peterkyle/status/1916892532161609741/photo/1

I welcomed ABBA's 

Peter Kyle

@peterkyle

@BUlvaeus

 to Westminster today to discuss how we can deliver clarity to the UK’s copyright landscape and the opportunities AI brings.

We are working to deliver a solution which increases control for rights holders while building greater transparency

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annanealemusic - london 

https://www.instagram.com/p/DJAAoaKtQ7f/?img_index=2

Today  President of @cisacnews @bjornulvaeus joined forces with @prsformusic to discuss the AI act with Secretary of State Peter Kyle MP and ammemdments in the House of Lords with @kevinbrennanmp.

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on X

𝗔𝗕𝗕𝗔 𝗰𝗼-𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗜𝗦𝗔𝗖 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗕𝗷ö𝗿𝗻 𝗨𝗹𝘃𝗮𝗲𝘂𝘀 𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗨𝗞 𝗴𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗽𝘆𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗜 

CISAC President Björn Ulvaeus has concluded two days of meetings in the UK, urging the government to safeguard human creators in the AI age and avoid weakening creators’ rights. 

Speaking at an open discussion with Members of Parliament and Lords in Westminster—joined by CISAC and

@PRSforMusic

—Ulvaeus emphasized that the UK must maintain its leadership in the creative industries by embracing AI while staying true to copyright.

The statement followed a meeting on Monday with Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology,

@peterkyle

, and a separate discussion with Peers at the House of Lords.

At Tuesday’s meeting with Lords and Parliamentarians convened to discuss the government’s consultation on AI and copyright, Ulvaeus said:

🗨️ “Copyright is the oxygen which creators and the creative economy depend on for their existence and survival. They cannot be sacrificed.

I am convinced that the AI revolution can be not only the biggest, but also the best, revolution that the creative industries have faced. That is possible, but only if there is a legitimate, mutually-respecting partnership between creators and AI operators

https://x.com/CISACNews/status/1917248010238795877

photos cisac

Source language: English / Written on: 29/04/2025 

Document prepared by ULVAEUS Björn (CISAC President) 

Björn Ulvaeus's speech at Westminster 

Good afternoon. 

Thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak to you today on the important topic of AI.  

This is an issue that’s close to my heart: as a creator and as an avid technology enthusiast.   

I am speaking today not just as an artist but also President of CISAC, the largest global network of creators. 

And more than that: I am speaking as someone who is very closely involved in the UK creative sector.  

From the early days of ABBA, London and the UK meant a lot for us – and not just because of Waterloo…  

These days I have three shows that are running here in London: Mama Mia the Musical; Mama Mia the Party at the O2, and of course ABBA Voyage. 

The UK is a hub for the music and the creative sector.  

And there’s a good reason for this: the UK has always been supportive of this sector, appreciative of its contribution to  the economy, and rewarding it with a strong legal protection in the form of copyright. 

Yet these days the UK is at a crossroad, like many other countries, when it comes to addressing the issue of Artificial Intelligence.  

We are living in an era of unprecedented transformation. And nowhere is this more evident that in the rise of generative AI.  

AI is bringing huge benefits, and opens doors we did not even know exist. 

I’m a very keen and enthusiastic user of AI tools. I’ve been enjoying using AI for nearly two years now. But AI tools also raise many concerns.  

The main concern, is quite simply, that we have to secure the protection of human creators. 

This debate is now reaching a climax, and policy makers in many countries are considering  changes to the laws on copyright and AI.  

The message from creators is loud and clear: this is about upholding the entire system of copyright and authors’ rights.  

Copyright is the oxygen which creators and the creative economy depend on for their existence and survival. 

They cannot be sacrificed.  

I am convinced that the AI revolution can be not only the biggest, but also the best, revolution that the creative industries have faced.  

That is possible, but only if there is a legitimate, mutually-respecting partnership between creators and AI operators.  

Unfortunately, there is an alternative and, in my opinion, more dangerous view, driven by profit-seeking tech companies. 

That view favours a weaker rights framework and broad exceptions to copyright.  

This would take away from the creators their right to negotiate for the use of their works, and that would be a historic setback for both creators and the tech sector.   

At this point I think it is vital to be clear: protecting creators’ rights in no way means trying to stop the advance of technology.   

On the contrary, it means embracing and licensing AI tools in a safe, legal environment.   

I say this as the number one fan of AI and of its possibilities for enhancing human creation.   

What is pre-requisite, however, is that creators’ rights are respected.  

Specifically that means:  

1. AI training must be subject to clear transparency rules;  

2. Creators must be able to license their own works;  

3. and remuneration of those creators must be guaranteed.  

I have frequently been called on to be the message-carrier on this issue, to Presidents, Prime Ministers and anyone else 

who can help ensure that this debate ends fairly.  

I’ve been delighted to be able to use my experience to do that, and I would like to see other well-known artists do the same.  

Look at what was achieved by the inspiring “Make it Fair” campaign in the UK, rightly protesting against the misguided suggestion of loosening copyright rules.  

The truth is that creators are not afraid of AI; but they are afraid, and legitimately so, of losing their rights and losing their income.  

There is no doubt that, as AI technologies get smarter and better, the regulatory debate around AI and creators’ rights is getting more critical.  

The global economic study by CISAC and PMP Strategy, which I helped launch in December, projects deep revenue losses in music and audiovisual repertoires by 2028, if the right rules are not in place.  Time is running out. We must remember that this is not about the future of big successful artists. It's about the vast majority of those creators whose royalties support their careers and sustain our culture. And it’s about the multi-trillion dollar creative sector that powers our economies, including the tech sector. 

Upholding creators’ rights is not only about fairness, it’s also about economic good sense.   

So bring on the AI revolution – and one that stays true to creators’ rights

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photo Gadi Oron Director General at CISAC

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zahra_o_shah UK House of Lords

https://www.instagram.com/p/DJCy9gVoYLZ

https://www.instagram.com/p/DJC4Eb7tsYS/?img_index=1

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photos linkedin

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Happy Birthday Björn !

 https://www.instagram.com/p/DI4ZQlQM-nV/

From Mamma Mia The Party 

Stockholm

Amsterdam

https://www.facebook.com/smooth.radio/posts/pfbid07Z4E6TBG9AdpnXooPV4T8Vghw4DUtroDLg2JDg6YZVgq4wj8NiMycJhaKxGQxqusl

https://www.instagram.com/p/DI4QlOrtVZg/

Tine Acke

Fotógrafo(a) Fotografin | Hamburg | tine@tineacke.de

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s.o.k_music

Rotterdam, Netherlands

S-O-K wishes the legendary Björn Ulvaeus of ABBA a wonderful 80th birthday!

https://www.instagram.com/p/DI3ZtU0i5hp/

https://www.instagram.com/p/DI6Y2Tatt5S/

rush_the_barber

Barbers of Sweden

rush_the_barber

“Today I had the honor of celebrating a true legend — Happy 80th Birthday to the incredible Björn from ABBA! It’s been a privilege to be your barber and to get to know the kind and humble person behind the global icon. Wishing you health, happiness, and many more years of inspiring the world. Grateful to be a small part of your journey!” 🎂 ⭐️ 🤍 @bjornulvaeus

Björn Ulvaeus in an interview l Spiegel

 

https://www.spiegel.de/kultur/musik/abba-star-bjoern-ulvaeus-pop-groesse-spricht-ueber-scheidungen-und-friedrich-merz-a-4c9c74a6-b6ef-4c52-a2e2-a228d57dcf57?sara_ref=re-so-app-sh

link to the article: https://abbaregistrobox.blogspot.com/2025/04/star-bjorn-ulvaeus.htm

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instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/DIrEH3WO_lc

 

 

 

 

Bjorn Ulvaeus has claimed “free speech is in danger”.

 

Free speech is in danger, says Abba star

Natasha Leake — T

Abba’s Bjorn Ulvaeus has claimed “free speech is in danger”.

The 80-year-old Dancing Queen singer said he worried about the “rise of the autocrat” in an interview promoting his “democracy education programme for schools”.

Mr Ulvaeus told The Times there was now a “fear of violence” if creators were to “make Monty Python’s Life of Brian in a Muslim context”, as an example.

“I find it demeaning to not be able to say this or that. Free speech is in danger. And I really feel, with autocrats on the rise, even in America, Europe needs to step up and unite,” he added, alluding to the increase in leaders with absolute power.

Mr Ulvaeus, one quarter of Abba, found fame after winning Eurovision in 1974 alongside his former wife Agnetha Faltskog.

The singer, who has made a “democracy education programme for schools” set to launch in June, now wants to teach children “freedom is at threat”.

“I want children to realise this thing that we breathe every day – freedom, respect for institutions – is at threat,” he said.

“Imagine the world these dictators want: you lose your job because you complain about the government. You pay taxes but they are stolen or you can’t get justice because the law has become an untrustworthy institution. We are closer to this than we know.”

He indicated that he thought it might be time to introduce national service, which he undertook as a teenager.

“I am a proud European,” he said. “And now it seems we are the last bastion of liberal democracy. Let’s face it: we are alone and I think we should build a European defence force.”

Elsewhere in the interview he admitted to drinking between 15 to 20 cups of coffee a day, adding that he doesn’t eat until midday and works out with a crosstrainer, TRX suspension cables and a “vibrator plate” to stay healthy despite his age.

Mr Ulvaeus married Danish national Christina Sas, 51, in Copenhagen in a small ceremony in front of family and friends in September last year.

‘Love at first sight’

He described meeting his third wife as “love at first sight”, but said he had “severe concerns” about the age difference of thirty years.

“When a man or a woman meets someone much younger and falls in love they think, ‘Am I doing the right thing?’ But in the end I just gave up. I decided, ‘It’s up to her – if she wants to live with someone older and we love each other…’ Age doesn’t come between us now – we rarely even talk about it,” he said.

Mr Ulvaeus announced he had split from his second wife of 41 years, Lena Kallersjo in 2022, four months before revealing he and his current wife were a couple.

Ms Kallersjo shares two daughters, Emma, 42, and Anna, 38, with Mr Ulvaeus. They agreed to split their £100 million in assets equally.

From 1971 to 1979, Ulvaeus was married to his bandmate and first wife Ms Faltskog. They had two children, Linda, 51, and Peter, 46.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/04/18/free-speech-in-danger-abba-star

Abba’s Bjorn Ulvaeus: life at 80 and falling for a younger woman

 

London, right. Jacket, Phix. Trousers, Dolce & Gabbana

“Ageism? At 50 people walk past you in the street. You don’t count”
TOM JACKSON FOR THE TIMES MAGAZINE. STYLING: HANNAH ROGERS. COAT, CHARLOTTE SIMON. TROUSERS, DOLCE & GABBANA. BOOTS, ROKER

If I started out now, I might be an Uber driver writing songs”
TOM JACKSON FOR THE TIMES MAGAZINE. GROOMING: LUCIE PEMBERTON USING HOURGLASS. SUIT, LOUIS VUITTON. SHOES, DIOR

ARTICLE HERE: https://abbaregistrobox.blogspot.com/2025/04/abbas-bjorn-ulvaeus-life-at-80-and.html

from abba official group

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