Brian May Warns of AI’s Threat to Music
Queen’s Brian May is voicing his concerns about the potential impact of artificial intelligence on the music industry, especially in light of proposed changes to AI copyright laws in the U.K.
The veteran guitarist is among those protesting the U.K. government’s initiative that would require artists to opt out of having their work mined by AI algorithms. May fears the damage may already be done, criticizing the “monstrously arrogant billionaire owners” of AI and social media platforms. The rock legend warns that artists may not be able to “afford to make music” if current trends continue.
May, 77, spoke to the Daily Mail as part of a campaign against the proposed AI law changes: “My fear is that it’s already too late – this theft has already been performed and is unstoppable, like so many incursions that the monstrously arrogant billionaire owners of Al and social media are making into our lives. The future is already forever changed. But I applaud this campaign to make the public aware of what is being lost. I hope it succeeds in putting a brake on, because if not, nobody will be able to afford to make music from here on in.”
May has also expressed broader fears about AI. He previously stated that AI has an “incredibly huge potential” to do “evil” and could lead to global domination and even death if it enters the political arena. He told the Daily Star, “The potential for Al to cause evil is, obviously, incredibly huge, not just in music but people can die if Al gets involved in politics.”
May’s support for the anti-AI campaign follows a protest by over 1,000 artists, including Kate Bush, Damon Albarn, and Annie Lennox, who released a silent album to express their opposition to the proposed legislation.
The album, titled Is This What We Want?, includes the statement: “The British government must not legalize music theft to benefit AI companies.”
Kate Bush, 66, stated, “In the music of the future, will our voices go unheard?”
