Rock legend Brian May has demanded a UK ban on AI after an AI-generated image of Freddie Mercury left him outraged, urging Prime Minister Andy Burnham to act before “it’s too late.”
Rock legend Brian May has called for a UK ban on artificial intelligence after an AI-generated image of his late Queen bandmate Freddie Mercury left him “outraged,” urging Prime Minister Andy Burnham to act before “it’s too late.” The guitarist used Meta AI to recreate the 1980 album cover for The Game—a request that produced a distorted, unrecognizable image of Mercury, according to The Independent. The original 1980 album cover features all four Queen members in matching leather jackets, a stark contrast to the AI’s output.
A Distorted Vision of the Past
May’s post on Instagram, shared widely, described the AI-generated image as a “disaster.” “I asked Meta AI to show me what the cover of THE GAME album looked like. This is what it gave me! Good job, eh? So this is the kind of intelligence that will soon be ruling the world??! Well, great. Maybe this is the time to realise WE ACTUALLY DON’T NEED AI!!!” The Independent reported. The original 1980 album cover features all four Queen members in matching leather jackets, a stark contrast to the AI’s output.
The image sparked a broader critique of AI’s expansion in the UK. May, who has long warned about the environmental impact of data centers, directly addressed Burnham, writing: We must not allow these hideous Data Centres to be built in the UK. They will destroy our beautiful country, like they are already destroying beautiful America.
The Independent quoted the statement, emphasizing May’s alarm over AI’s “inevitable” development. The Independent also noted that May’s stance aligns with other musicians, including Willie Nelson, who has opposed data center construction near his Texas home.
A Warning Against Unchecked Growth
May’s post included a direct plea to the UK prime minister: Dear Andy – you must stop it now. Before it’s too late.
The guitarist, who has criticized AI’s environmental footprint for years, linked the issue to broader concerns about data centers. I believe the price we are about to pay for this ‘inevitable’ development is way too high,
he wrote.
While some, like singer Linda Perry, have embraced AI as a “tool” that could simplify tasks—comparing it to the microwave’s initial backlash—others, such as dance producer Nia Archives, remain skeptical. Perry, speaking at the 2026 Ivor Novello Awards, told the Press Association: To me, it’s just another tool that has shown up to make people’s life easier in some way.
And I said earlier, like microwaves, when microwaves showed up, everybody thought it was the end of making dinner, and mums were just going to throw it in there, and poof, we were going to be in the Jetsons with this powder that turns into a turkey for Thanksgiving, and it’s not.
Archives, speaking at the Mercury Prize launch in July, said: I don’t know if AI music will last to be honest with you, I think it’s quite like a fleeting technology moment.
The Unanswered Question
Queen, the band May co-founded, has achieved six UK number one singles and 10 UK number one albums, with hits including Bohemian Rhapsody,
“Killer Queen,” Crazy Little Thing Called Love,
and We Are The Champions
.
