Brian May claims “nobody will be able to afford to make music” due to AI
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(Credit: Far Out / Denis Pellerin)
Queen guitarist Brian May has become the latest musician to voice his concern about the use of artificial intelligence in the music industry, following the government’s announcement that they will be ushering in an ‘opt-out’ scheme for those who do not wish to have AI models trained to use their likeness.
The British musician has expressed fears that the action is coming later than necessary to stop the rising trend of AI use in the arts, having previously commented on its use in an interview in 2023.
Speaking after making the decision to back the Daily Mail’s campaign against the use of AI, May said: “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.”
He continued: “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.”
In his previous comments to Guitar Player, May asserted that we “might look back on 2023 as the last year when humans really dominated the music scene,” adding a warning that “by this time next year the landscape will be completely different.”
Other celebrities backing the campaign include Elton John and former British Phonographic Industry deputy chairman and songwriter Mike Batt, all of whom have voiced their concern that it could decimate the music industry.
In another recent protest against the use of AI in music, over 1,000 artists, including Damon Albarn and Kate Bush, released a silent album titled Is This What We Want?, which features recordings of empty studios and venues. The proceeds of the album’s sales are being donated to Help Musicians.
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