Boy George says AI tools like ChatGPT help him write lyrics and explore new languages, calling the technology “brilliant” for modern artists.
For many musicians, artificial intelligence is a source of anxiety. For Boy George, it’s a creative partner.
The Culture Club frontman recently shared how AI has quietly become part of his songwriting routine — and he believes it has actually improved his craft.
Speaking on the Happy Place podcast, hosted by Fearne Cotton, the 64-year-old singer said he has already experimented extensively with the technology.
“I’ve written like five albums already with AI,” George said during the conversation. “AI is brilliant. Nothing to fear.”
Rather than seeing artificial intelligence as a shortcut, George describes it as a creative sounding board. He often uses tools like ChatGPT to test lyric ideas, challenge phrases and spark new directions in his writing.
“I have fantastic conversations with ChatGPT,” he said. “Sometimes I’ll say, ‘That lyric is crap — that’s not what I would say.’ You can train it.”
The process, he explained, still relies heavily on his own judgment and artistic instincts. AI may generate ideas, but George decides what works and what doesn’t.
One example he shared was his recent song “I Am Iran,” where the technology helped him experiment with lyrics translated into Persian — something he said would have been difficult to attempt on his own.
“Obviously I don’t sing in Persian and I’m not Persian,” George said. “But I write in a very British way and when it translates, it becomes really interesting.”
George is currently touring with Culture Club, with shows scheduled throughout the month. Even while traveling, he said AI tools allow him to write independently without needing a traditional songwriting team.
His enthusiasm comes at a moment when the music industry remains deeply divided about artificial intelligence.
Earlier this year, Liza Minnelli addressed criticism over the use of AI elements in the EDM track “Kids Wait Till You Hear This,” clarifying that while AI was used for arrangements, her vocals were real.
At the same time, some artists have voiced serious concerns. R&B star SZA recently told i-D Magazine she feels “at war” with the rise of AI-generated music, particularly when it imitates emerging artists who are still trying to build careers.
Technology companies and streaming platforms are also trying to keep up. Spotify said last year it removed more than 75 million spam tracks as part of new efforts to fight impersonation and misleading AI content.
Still, George remains optimistic. For him, artificial intelligence isn’t replacing creativity — it’s expanding it.
“If a robot replaces you,” he joked on the podcast, “maybe you just weren’t trying hard enough.”
