Queen guitarist Brian May has urged UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham to block artificial intelligence development “before it’s too late,” according to reports from The Independent and EuropeSays. May’s intervention follows an unsettling encounter with Meta AI, which generated a distorted image of his late bandmate Freddie Mercury alongside an unrecognizable version of the rest of the band when asked to recreate the cover of Queen’s 1980 album, The Game.
Brian May Demands UK AI Ban Following Freddie Mercury Image
According to The Independent, the British musician took to Instagram to share the AI-generated output with his followers. The real album cover features all four band members—including Mercury, who died in 1991—standing side by side in matching leather jackets. In contrast, the Meta AI version produced a resurrected, altered likeness of Mercury paired with a mangled group depiction.
“I just had to share this with you guys,” May wrote on Instagram, as cited by EuropeSays. “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!!!”
Data Centres and Environmental Concerns
Beyond the artistic implications, May used his platform to sound the alarm on the physical infrastructure required to power generative intelligence. According to The Independent, the guitarist appealed directly to UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham to halt the construction of large data facilities.
“I believe the price we are about to pay for this ‘inevitable’ development is way too high,” May stated on Instagram, according to The Independent. “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. Dear Andy – you must stop it now. Before it’s too late.”
May’s environmental warnings align him with other legacy artists voicing ecological concerns over tech expansion. According to source reporting, Willie Nelson has similarly criticized data centre development near his hometown in Texas.
Did you know? With Queen, Sir Brian May achieved six UK number one singles and 10 UK number one albums, featuring timeless anthems like “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Killer Queen,” “Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” and “We Are The Champions,” according to The Independent.
Diverging Views Within the Music Industry
The debate over artificial intelligence in the creative arts continues to draw starkly different reactions from prominent musicians. While May strongly opposes the technology, other artists have expressed a willingness to adapt.
According to The Independent, 4 Non Blondes singer Linda Perry argued at the 2026 Ivor Novello Awards that artists should “embrace” AI as a tool that makes life easier, comparing its introduction to the historical arrival of household microwaves. Conversely, dance music producer Nia Archives dismissed AI-generated music as a “fleeting technology moment” that “won’t last” while speaking at the launch of the Mercury Prize, as reported by The Independent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Brian May upset with Meta AI?
Brian May is upset because Meta AI generated a distorted, unrecognizable image of his former band Queen when asked to recreate the cover of their 1980 album, The Game, according to The Independent.
Who did Brian May address in his warning?
According to EuropeSays and The Independent, May addressed UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, urging him to block the construction of data centres in the UK.
What other musicians have raised concerns about AI infrastructure?
According to The Independent, Willie Nelson has criticized data centre development near his hometown in Texas due to environmental footprints.
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