Boy George has revealed that artificial intelligence has become a central tool in his songwriting, describing himself as an enthusiastic user of the technology.
Speaking on the Happy Place podcast hosted by Fearne Cotton, the singer explained how AI has reshaped his creative workflow. “The practice has really helped me as a lyricist,” he said, noting that working with AI removes the pressures that can come with human collaboration.
“You’re not working with anyone else. You don’t have to worry even for two seconds about what they think,” he added.
Best known as the frontman of Culture Club, Boy George described himself as a “top-line writer,” focusing primarily on vocal melodies layered over instrumental tracks sent to him by collaborators. “All the people I work with send me tracks, and I’ll just sit with them, and I’ll just play it and play it,” he said.
He also spoke candidly about using AI tools such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT as a creative sounding board. “I have fantastic conversations with ChatGPT, and I’ll say, ‘Oh, that’s crap. That’s not what I would say,’” he remarked, adding that the technology can be refined over time. “Actually, you can train it,” he said, explaining that it can be shaped to suit a desired creative outcome.
The singer previously made headlines after using AI to re-record vocals for some of his best-known songs, including Karma Chameleon. The move was seen in part as a way to navigate ongoing rights issues surrounding ownership of original recordings.
His embrace of AI places him at odds with several high-profile musicians who have voiced concern about the technology’s potential impact on the creative industries. Artists including Elton John and Paul McCartney have warned of what they see as the potentially dangerous ramifications of unchecked AI use in music and other art forms.
However, Boy George is not alone in welcoming the technology. Geezer Butler recently admitted to experimenting with AI in his own work, saying he had used an artificial voice to help bring lyrics to life.
Beyond his studio work, Boy George has remained active on the live circuit. In November, he headlined a London charity fundraiser supporting relief efforts in Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa, which left dozens dead and many injured.
He is scheduled to embark on a series of US dates this month, beginning in Niagara Falls and concluding with a six-night residency at The Venetian in Las Vegas.
