Robbie Williams in the studio, 1999 in London England.
Photo: Comic Relief via Getty Images, Comic Relief. All rights reserved.
Robbie Williams will soon present a new version of his song “Angels”. The new version was created with the help of artificial intelligence (AI) and in cooperation with Telekom. The result will be presented on February 28, 2022 as part of the Telekom Highlight Sessions at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Following the pre-listening at 1:30 p.m., there will be a conversation on telekom.com with Robbie Williams and the song’s co-author Guy Chambers, as well as the project managers Matthias Rüder and Claudia Nemat.
An AI was used for the project, with the help of which Beethoven’s 10th symphony was already completed in 2021. The composer left the symphony imperfect before his death. Only a few sketches and notes of the end remain. These served as a basis for the AI to fill in the blanks. In addition, many other pieces by Beethoven and his contemporaries were integrated into the program. The AI then made suggestions for the composition of various passages. These were evaluated by a team and played back into the system. In the end, a new version of Beethoven’s 10th symphony was created, in a collaboration between man and machine.
“It’s fascinating how much technology has now made possible for art”
The same principle was now applied to Williams’ and Chambers’ “Angels”. “‘Angels’ obviously has a very special place in my heart,” Williams said. “I look forward to previewing this incredibly interesting release on February 28th at Mobile World Congress. It is fascinating how much technology has now made possible for art.”
Nemat adds: “As Telekom, we are driving digitization forward. For us, this also means consciously looking at the potential and opportunities of technology. And also to create solutions in creative processes. That’s why we’re particularly excited to explore the possibilities of AI creativity with Robbie Williams on one of the best songs in pop history. We are looking forward to the preview on February 28th.”
In the subsequent discussion, the background of the project, as well as the task and role of AI for creative work will be examined.
1997’s “Angels” is still considered one of former Take That member Robbie Williams’ biggest hits, along with “Let Me Entertain You.” He has released eleven studio albums in his solo career. In August he wants to play the biggest concert of his career so far in Munich.
+++This article first appeared on musikexpress.de+++