Latest news with #BjörnUlvaeus
Euronews
22-05-2025
- Business
- Euronews
'Thank you for the copyright': ABBA legend warns against AI code
ABBA member Björn Ulvaeus warned MEPs in Brussels on Tuesday that he is concerned about 'proposals driven by Big Tech' that weaken creative rights under the EU's AI Act. 'I am pro-tech, but I am concerned about current proposals that are being driven by the tech sector to weaken creative rights,' Ulvaeus told a hearing in the European Parliament's Committee on Culture and Education on Tuesday. The comments from the singer songwriter - who is the president of the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC) - add to concerns voiced by the creative industry, including publishers and rights holders in recent months, on the drafting process of a voluntary Code of Practice on General Purpose AI (GPAI) for large language models like ChatGPT under the AI Act. The European Commission appointed 13 experts to consider the issue last September, using plenary sessions and workshops to allow some 1,000 participants to share feedback. The draft texts since published aimed at helping providers of AI models comply with the EU's AI rulebook, but publishers criticised them for the interplay with copyright rules, while US tech giants complained about the 'restrictive' and burdensome effects. 'The argument that AI can only be achieved if copyright is weakened is false and dangerous. AI should not be built on theft, it would be an historic abandonment of principles,' Ulvaeus said. 'The EU has been a champion of creative rights. But now we see that the Code ignores calls from the creative sector for transparency. What we want is for the EU to lead on AI regulation, not to backslide,' he said, adding that the implementation of the act should 'stay true to the original objective'. The latest draft, due early May, was delayed because the Commission received a large number of requests to leave the consultations open longer than originally planned. The aim is to publish the latest draft before the summer. On 2 August, the rules on GP AI tools enter into force. The administration led by US President Donald Trump has said the EU's digital rules, including the Code, stifle innovation. The US Mission to the EU sent a letter to the EU executive pushing back against the Code in April. Similar concerns were voiced by US Big Tech companies: Meta's global policy chief, Joel Kaplan, said in February that it would not sign the code because it had issues with the text as it then stood. A senior official working at the Commission's AI Office told Euronews earlier this month however, that US companies 'are very proactive' and that there is not the sense that 'they are pulling back because of a change in the administration.' The AI Act itself - which regulates AI tools according to the risk they pose to society - entered into force in August last year. Its provisions apply gradually, before the Act will be fully applicable in 2027. The EU executive can decide to formalise the Code under the AI Act, through an implementing act. Sir Elton John recently described the UK government as "absolute losers" and said he felt "incredibly betrayed" over plans to exempt technology firms developing AI from copyright laws. The European Commission will offer relief to small mid-cap companies burdened by the current scope of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in a rule simplification package known as an Omnibus to be published on Wednesday, according to a working document seen by Euronews. Currently, companies with fewer than 250 employees are exempt from the data privacy rules to reduce their administrative costs, the Commission now proposes to extend this derogation to the so-called small mid-cap companies. Small mid-cap companies can employ up to 500 employees and make higher turnovers. Under the plan - the Commission's fourth such Omnibus - such companies will only have to keep a record of the processing of the users' data when it's considered 'high risk', for example private medical information. The change comes seven years after the GDPR took effect. Since then the rulebook has shielded consumer data from US tech giants but is also perceived as burdensome for smaller and mid-sized companies that often did not have the means to hire data protection lawyers. The biggest fine issued under the rules so far is €1.2 billion on US tech giant Meta: the Irish data protection authority fined the company in 2023 for invalid data transfers. Although fines are generally lower for smaller businesses, at up to €20 million or 4% of annual turnover they remain significant. In the Netherlands for example, VoetbalTV, a video platform for amateur football games, was fined €575,000 by the Dutch privacy regulator in 2018. Although the company appealed and the court overturned the fine, it had to file for bankruptcy. Both EU lawmaker Axel Voss (Germany/EPP), who was involved in steering the legislation through the European Parliament, and Austrian privacy activist Max Schrems, whose organisation NOYB filed numerous data protection complaints with regulators, called for different rules for smaller companies earlier this year. Under the plan, 90% of the businesses – small retailers and manufacturers -- would just face minor compliance tasks and would not need an in-house data protection officer anymore, no excessive documentation and lower administrative fines, capped at €500,000. Voss said his proposal would not weaken the EU's privacy standards, but make it 'more enforceable, and more proportionate'. Similar calls are coming from the member states: the new German government stressed in its coalition plan that it will work on EU level to ensure that 'non-commercial activities (for example, associations), small and medium-sized enterprises, and low-risk data processing are exempt from the scope of the GDPR.' By contrast, civil society and consumer groups have warned that the Commission's plan to ease GDPR rules could have unintended consequences. On Tuesday, privacy advocacy group EDRi stated in an open letter that the change risks 'weakening key accountability safeguards' by making data protection obligations depend on company size rather than the actual risk to people's rights. It also fears this could lead to further pressure to roll back other parts of the GDPR. Consumer advocates share similar concerns, in a letter from late April, pan-European consumer group BEUC warned that even small companies can cause serious harm through data breaches. It argued that using headcount or turnover as a basis for exemptions could create legal uncertainty and go against EU fundamental rights. Both groups say the focus should instead be on better enforcement of existing rules and more practical support for small companies. Meanwhile reforms of the data privacy law are under negotiation between the Council and the European Parliament. A new round of political discussions on the GDPR Procedural Regulation is expected to take place on Wednesday. EU institutions are attempting to finalise a long-awaited deal to improve cooperation between national data protection authorities. The regulation is meant to address delays and inconsistencies in how cross-border cases are handled under the GDPR, by harmonising procedures and timelines. According to experts familiar with the file, one of the main sticking points is whether to introduce binding deadlines for national authorities to act on complaints. While the Parliament has pushed for clearer timelines to speed up enforcement, some member states argue that fixed deadlines could overwhelm authorities and increase legal risks. This change is however not expected to impact the Commission's 4th Omnibus package.
Perth Now
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
ABBA lead tributes to the man who shaped their signature sound
ABBA have led tributes to their sound engineer, Michael B. Tretow, who has died aged 80. News of the Swedish record producer's passing was confirmed to the Swedish publication Aftonbladet. ABBA's manager Görel Hanser confirmed the sad news. No cause of death is known at this time. After being chosen by Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson to be their sound engineer in 1970, Michael worked on all of the 'Waterloo' hitmakers' albums except for 2021's 'Voyage'. In a touching tribute, Benny Andersson told the outlet: "You meant more to us four in ABBA than anyone else. 'I hope and believe that you felt it throughout all the years that have passed since we worked (and continuously laughed) in the studio. 'Our music lives on, it seems, and you are the one who made it timeless. You were a fantastic inspirer and joy-maker, and the finest sound engineer the world has ever seen. 'I miss you. And I've saved all your coconuts!' Björn Ulvaeus said the way he shaped the Eurovision-winning band's sound 'cannot be overestimated'. Anni-Frid Lyngstad said: 'No one fit the bill as well as you. 'For us, you are forever part of the ABBA sound and you will never be forgotten.' Fourth band member, Agnetha Fältskog, recalled spending time with Michael just recently. She reflected: 'So glad I got to spend some time with you a few weeks ago… You were so sick, but your laughter and humour were still there. 'So many memories are preserved, your encouraging words during the recordings meant so much. We are sad now, a talented and unique person has left us. Sleep well Micke, you are in our hearts forever.'
Daily Mirror
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
ABBA legend dies after mystery illness as the band issues tearful statements
ABBA have been left in mourning following the death of their sound engineer. The family of Michael B Tretow have confirmed he has passed away at the age of 80. He was a giant in Swedish music and the sound engineer for Abba as well as being a musician himself. Both Abba stars Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson have already reacted to the sad news. Benny said: "You meant more to us four in ABBA than anyone else. I hope and believe that you felt it throughout all the years that have passed since we worked (and continuously laughed) in the studio. Our music lives on, it seems, and you are the one who made it timeless. You were a fantastic inspirer and joy-maker. And the finest sound engineer the world has ever seen. I miss you. And I've saved all your coconuts!" Meanwhile, Bjorn went on to add: "His significance for ABBA cannot be overestimated. He was a warm, generous person and a good friend. Thanks, Micke, for all the laughs!" In a statement issued to Aftonbladet, Anni-Fris said: "You were the security in our little studio bubble with your never-ending creativity, warmth and joy and no one fit the bill as well as you! For us, you are forever part of the ABBA sound and you will never be forgotten!" Agnetha Fältskog paid tribute, saying: "So glad I got to spend some time with you a few weeks ago... You were so sick, but your laughter and humor were still there... So many memories are preserved, your encouraging words during the recordings meant so much. We are sad now, a talented and unique person has left us. Sleep well Micke, you are in our hearts forever." The Swedish Herald which reported his death late on Tuesday night highlighted how when Tretow was a sound engineer at Metronome Studio and in the 1970s, Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson let him become Abba's sound engineer. He then worked with all of Abba's albums – except for "Voyage" from 2021 – and is considered to have created the classic Abba sound. His death is likely to mean the four Abba members are reunited again although this time for very sad reasons if they all attend his funeral. They are rarely photographed together, although did all pose together in 2022 at the launch of their Abba voyage concert experience. Michael is survived by son Rasmus Tretow and his wife Malin Hertzman.
Euronews
20-05-2025
- Business
- Euronews
'Thank you for the copyright' - ABBA warns against AI Code
ABBA front man Björn Ulvaeus warned MEPs in Brussels on Tuesday that he is concerned about 'proposals driven by Big Tech' that weaken creative rights under the EU's AI Act. 'I am pro-tech, but I am concerned about current proposals that are being driven by the tech sector to weaken creative rights,' Ulvaeus told a hearing in the European Parliament's Committee on Culture and Education on Tuesday. The comments from the singer songwriter - who is the President of the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC) - add to concerns voiced by the creative industry, including publishers and rights holders in recent months, on the drafting process of a voluntary Code of Practice on General Purpose AI (GPAI) for large language models like ChatGPT under the AI Act. The European Commission appointed thirteen experts to consider the issue last September, using plenary sessions and workshops to allow some 1,000 participants to share feedback. The draft texts since published aimed at helping providers of AI models comply with the EU's AI rulebook, but were criticised by publishers for the interplay with copyright rules, while US tech giants complained about the 'restrictive' and burdensome effects. 'The argument that AI can only be achieved if copyright is weakened is false and dangerous. AI should not be built on theft, it would be an historic abandonment of principles,' Ulvaeus said. 'The EU has been a champion of creative rights. But now we see that the Code ignores calls from the creative sector for transparency. What we want is for the EU to lead on AI regulation, not to backslide,' he said, adding that the implementation of the act should 'stay true to the original objective'. The latest draft, which was due early May, was delayed because the Commission received a large number of requests to leave the consultations open longer than originally planned. The aim is to publish the latest draft before the summer. On 2 August, the rules on GP AI tools enter into force. The administration led by Republican President Donald Trump has said the EU's digital rules, including the Code, stifle innovation. The US government's Mission to the EU sent a letter to the EU executive pushing back against the Code in April. Similar concerns were voiced by US Big Tech companies: Meta's global policy chief, Joel Kaplan, said in February that it will not sign the code because it had issues with the text as it then stood. A senior official working at the Commission's AI Office told Euronews earlier this month however, that US companies 'are very proactive' and that there is not the sense that 'they are pulling back because of a change in the administration.' The AI Act itself - which regulates AI tools according to the risk they pose to society - entered into force in August last year. Its provisions apply gradually, before the Act will be fully applicable in 2027. The EU executive can decide to formalise the Code under the AI Act, through an implementing act. Sir Elton John recently described the UK government as "absolute losers" and said he felt "incredibly betrayed" over plans in the UK to exempt technology firms developing AI from copyright laws.
News.com.au
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Sweden remains favourite to take out the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest
There is no bigger endorsement than ABBA's Björn Ulvaeus jumping on your Eurovision hype train. The superstar, whose group became global superstars after winning the singing Olympics in 1974, posted a hilarious video from his lakeside home in support of overwhelming favourites Kaj and their song 'Bara Bada Bastu' which celebrates the restorative power of a good sauna. The Swedish entry for the 2025 contest in Basel, Switzerland has been the frontrunner since March with their jaunty pop song and staging with lumberjack dancers who rip off their gear and risk a wardrobe malfunction as they bounce around the stage in post-sauna towels. It's peak Eurovision. The wild costume factor isn't as high in 2025 as recent competitions but it is the strongest field of contestants in terms of singing, song quality and dazzling visuals for many years. Here's your guide to what's going on in the weird and wonderful ones to watch in 2025. It's all about sex, baby Australia's Go-Jo declared his pop banger 'Milkshake Man' is a call to let your confidence flag fly but his invitation to 'Come and take a sip from my special cup' opens a carefully-crafted collection of double entendres. Less buried between the lines was this year's most controversial song 'Serving' from Malta's Mariana Conte. The throbbing club track was titled 'Kant', the Maltese word for singing but the BBC but a clutch of other broadcasters protested the word sounded too similar to a very naughty English word and might offend their family-friendly audiences. Conte changed the title and chorus lyrics centred on 'serving kant', which is a well-known phrase in the queer ballroom and drag cultures. One artist who managed to skirt the Eurovision 'keep it nice' guidelines is Finland's Erika Vikman whose song 'Ich Komme' is hailed as a 'joyous message of pleasure, ecstasy and a state of trance'. It's English translation is 'I'm Coming' and her sexually-charged performance leaves little doubt about the pleasure message she is sending out from the Basel stage. The EuroBey Babes Vikman is one of the pop queens pulling from the Beyonce style book with her bedazzled bodysuit. Spain's Melody goes for the on-stage costume change to reveal a classic glittering leotard and thigh-high black boots. But even Beyonce, who has set the bar for concert choreography, might find it tough to match the degree of difficulty of Melody's aerial flip at the climax of her performance of her pop banger 'Esa Diva.' Denmark's Sissal sported a monochromatic blue bodysuit to match her lighting and staging design to sing her song 'Hallucination.' And Poland's Justyna Steczkowska looked lithe in her all-leather catsuit for the powerful performance of 'GAJA.' Viva Italia There were 20 European languages besides English represented on the Basel stage but one was more popular than most. Italy's multi-instrumentalist Lucio Corsi naturally adopts his mother tongue on 'Volevo Essere Un Duro,' a brave and intriguing take on toxic masculinity. Neighbouring San Marino's Gabry Ponte serves up a techno track 'Tutta l'Italia' – All of Italy – and celebrates spaghetti, wine and forbidden kisses in dark streets, according to the translated lyrics. Fun fact about Ponte is he was a member of the 90s Eurohouse kings Eiffel 65 who gifted the world the enduring earworm 'Blue (Da Ba Dee)'. The famous DJ performs behind the decks as two masked singers do the vocal heavy lifting. The third 'Italian' entry is the hilarious 'Espresso Macchiato' by Estonian contestant Tommy Cash. His cheeky tribute to caffeine allegedly got some Italians riled that he was sending them up but there's nothing in the lyrics to justify the offence. The Estonian rapper would be familiar to diehard Charli XCX fans as he was a feature on her 2017 single 'Delicious.' The Big Things Only Eurovision can rival Australia's reputation for celebrating over-sized props. Go-Jo brought a Big Blender to Basel but missed the opportunity to add Big Pineapple and Big Banana into his drink mix. Spare a thought for the crew who have to load the mammoth sets on and off stage in 42 seconds between each song. England's harmonising Remember Monday trio posed around a fallen chandelier during their song 'What The Hell Just Happened?' while KAJ performed in front of a Swedish sauna. There's also the ubiquitous disco balls, a giant microphone, a spaceship and France's Louane messes up the stage with a storm of sand. The Superstar Special Guest ABBA broke everyone's hearts last year in Malmo, Sweden when they phoned it in – with a video – to mark the 50th anniversary of Waterloo winning the contest in the UK. Speculation has swirled among Eurovision fans that Canadian pop legend Celine Dion might head to Basel to celebrate Switzerland hosting the singing Olympics for the first time since she won in 1988. Dion was 20 years old when she claimed the trophy in Dublin with a soaring performance of 'Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi.' In a video message played during the first semi-final, Dion chose her words carefully and didn't rule out making an appearance on stage in Switzerland. 'I would love nothing more than to be with you in Basel right now,' she said. An appearance at Eurovision would be only her third public performance since making a slow return to stage after stepping back from performing in 2022 when she was diagnosed with the rare neurological condition Stiff Person Syndrome. An orchestra was in secret rehearsals ahead of the grand final and Dion's private jet was reported to have landed in Basel on Friday. The 2025 Eurovision Song Contest grand final is broadcast from 5am (AEST) on Sunday, and replayed at 7.30pm, on SBS and SBS On Demand. * Kathy McCabe travelled to Basel as a guest of SBS.
