Martin Österdahl has said Eurovision has to “become friends” with Artificial Intelligence (AI) as the contest explores opportunities to use machine learning in the production of live shows. 

Last year, the Junior Eurovision Song Contest – which Österdahl is the Executive Supervisor of, mirroring his role at the adult competition – made headlines when pre-performance postcards of the artists featured very obvious uses of AI content generation. 

Spanish broadcaster RTVE’s use of AI divided fans, with many expressing worry on social media that this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Basel would also feature AI.

When asked by The Euro Trip if RTVE’s AI techniques would be replicated by this year’s Eurovision host broadcaster SRG SSR, Österdahl ruled it out, saying: “Not in that way, no.” 

The Euro Trip also asked Österdahl if AI is a good or bad thing for Eurovision. 

“The Eurovision Song Contest is sprung out of a ridge which is to celebrate and to move technological advances forward in a contest and a corporation which is very humane, based on human values. 

“We just have to figure out how to make AI our friend. 

“It’s not going to go away, we know that. 

“I have three kids who are already using AI for different things. 

“We have to figure out how to become friends with it and use it to the best of our advantage, and in line with the values that we have.” 

The use of AI at last year’s Junior Eurovision Song Contest was proposed by the creative team at RTVE, and approved by the JESC Steering Group. 

The Executive Producer of the show in Madrid last year told Spanish media after the competition that delegations liked the use of AI. 

But fans concerned about AI creeping into this year’s edition of Eurovision in Basel probably don’t need to worry. 

Co-Executive Producer of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest Reto Peritz confirmed that he and his team are in dialogue with the EBU to protect the competition from destructive uses of AI. 

“This is part of the rules, or should be part of the rules. 

“The host broadcaster is not involved in the rules – they’re made by the EBU and all the members of the EBU. 

“Whatever the rules say, we will follow of course. 

“At SRG – our broadcaster – we have very strict AI rules when it comes to news and magazines, and also for entertainment. 

“We are discussing this with the EBU at the moment.”