Brian May, the iconic guitarist of Queen and an accomplished astrophysicist, has voiced profound concerns about the impact of artificial intelligence on the world of art, particularly in the realm of music. His apprehensions about the future of music in the age of AI reflect a growing sentiment shared by many artists and experts in the field.
May’s reservations are not unfounded, as AI’s role in music creation has rapidly evolved beyond a passing trend. Musicians and industry professionals are increasingly expressing their thoughts, often with a mix of hope and anxiety, regarding the transformative influence of AI on the music industry. ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus provided exclusive insight into an advanced AI model developed by a major tech company, expressing awe at its potential. He emphasized that what has been witnessed thus far in AI-generated music is only a fraction of what is yet to come.
In a recent interview with Guitar Player, for Brian May, who possesses a formidable background in science, including astrophysics, the concept of artificial intelligence presents a daunting challenge. When asked about his experience with AI in his scientific pursuits during a recent interview with Guitar Player, May articulated his major concern, which centers on the artistic domain. He believes that within a year, the artistic landscape will undergo a radical transformation, blurring the lines between AI-generated and human-created art. This impending shift raises profound questions about the future of music and artistic expression.
May’s sentiment is one of apprehension and a sense of impending loss. He suggests that 2023 may be remembered as the last year when humans truly dominated the music scene. This prediction underscores the seriousness of the AI takeover and its potential to reshape the artistic landscape in ways that evoke sadness rather than joy.
While acknowledging that AI holds the potential to contribute positively to artistic endeavors and enhance human problem-solving capabilities, May is deeply concerned about the darker side of AI. He highlights the immense potential for AI to be exploited for nefarious purposes, especially in the realms of politics and national dominance. The overarching concern is that AI’s influence extends far beyond music, with implications that are both profound and unsettling.
“It is, and my major concern with it now is in the artistic area. I think by this time next year the landscape will be completely different. We won’t know which way is up. We won’t know what’s been created by AI and what’s been created by humans. Everything is going to get very blurred and very confusing, and I think we might look back on 2023 as the last year when humans really dominated the music scene. I really think it could be that serious, and that doesn’t fill me with joy. It makes me feel apprehensive, and I’m preparing to feel sad about this.
“I think a lot of great stuff will come from AI, because it is going to increase the powers of humans to solve problems. But the potential for AI to cause evil is, obviously, incredibly huge – not just in music, ’cause nobody dies in music, but people can die if AI gets involved in politics and world domination for various nations. I think the whole thing is massively scary. It’s much more far-reaching than anybody realized – well, certainly than I realized.”
