Queen's Brian May Warns AI's Cost Is Too High, Urges UK Ban on Data Centers

Queen guitarist Brian May has intensified his criticism of artificial intelligence, expressing deep reservations about its development and potential to overtake human capabilities. May recently shared an AI-generated cover for Queen's classic album "The Game," created by Meta AI, which he found to be a significant disappointment.

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So this is the kind of intelligence that will soon be ruling the world? Maybe this is the time to realize that we don't actually need AI.

"So this is the kind of intelligence that will soon be ruling the world? Maybe this is the time to realize that we don't actually need AI," May posted on Instagram, sharing the lackluster image. He further elaborated on his concerns, stating, "I am now very serious. I believe the price we have to pay for this inevitable development is too high."

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I am now very serious. I believe the price we have to pay for this inevitable development is too high.

May's critique extends beyond artistic concerns. He is particularly vocal against the construction of AI data centers in the UK, warning of their detrimental environmental impact. "Those data centers will destroy our beautiful country, just as they have destroyed beautiful America. Andy Burnham, you have to stop this now. Before it's too late," he urged.

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Those data centers will destroy our beautiful country, just as they have destroyed beautiful America. Andy Burnham, you have to stop this now. Before it's too late.

This is not the first time May has voiced his anxieties about AI. In a September 2023 interview, he cautioned that AI could drastically alter the music industry, making it difficult to distinguish between human and machine-created art. He predicted that by 2024, the music landscape would be unrecognizable, and that 2023 might be remembered as the last year humans truly dominated the music world.

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My main concern now is in the artistic field.