Meet the Winner of the First 'AI Eurovision' Song Contest: A Unique Creation Inspired by Koalas

Eurovision 2020: A New Era with AI Music Innovation

The Eurovision 2020 contest was understandably canceled due to the pandemic, but innovation soared as AI emerged to fill the void. Dutch broadcaster VPRO recently concluded the Eurovision-inspired AI Song Contest, featuring 13 teams from Europe and Australia. These teams trained algorithms to create pop songs, evaluated by industry experts. As noted by BBC and Bloomberg, the resulting tracks range from surprisingly catchy to eerily dystopian—much like the original Eurovision entries.

The winner, the Australian team Uncanny Valley, delivered “Beautiful the World,” a song crafted by an AI trained on a blend of Eurovision hits and sounds of local wildlife impacted by wildfires, such as koalas and kookaburras. With infectious dance-pop riffs reminiscent of traditional Eurovision fare, the song features whimsical lyrics like “ding-a dong sweet song thank you darling,” echoing the style of human performers.

In contrast, some entries veer into unsettling territory. The runner-up from Germany, Dadabots x Portrait XO’s “I’ll Marry You, Punk Come,” reflects its AI training on acapella, death metal, and fake news, with lyrics such as “extinction is the only way.” The Netherlands' contribution, Abbus’ “Can AI Kick It,” advocated for revolution, while Switzerland’s New Piano topped the list with “Painful Words,” a jarring atonal piece that fully embraced AI’s quirks.

Despite their unconventional nature, these songs are unlikely to chart anytime soon. Should the traditional Eurovision return in 2021, the AI Song Contest may see diminished attention. Nonetheless, this experiment offers a fascinating glimpse into the evolving landscape of AI music generation—offering a unique perspective free from political and cultural biases.