Archive · 4 Oct 2026
Brian May Urges Andy Burnham to Halt UK AI Data Centres
Brian May is worried about new buildings that store and run powerful computers for artificial intelligence.
He has asked Andy Burnham to stop them being built in the UK.
May says AI can sometimes help people, but he is concerned about what it may cost society and the countryside.
He also cancelled a music video after finding out that AI had been used to make it.
Burnham has said he will not pause all such projects for now.
He says communities should get benefits when data centres are built.
People also disagree about how many lasting jobs the planned centres will create.
One estimate is about 10,400 jobs by 2035, while another is 40,200.
Brian May has urged Andy Burnham to stop new AI data centres being built in the UK, calling them “a massive evil.”
May says AI can be useful, but fears its broader social impact, environmental costs and the influence of tech billionaires.
He scrapped a video for his single “My Angels Are Calling” after learning its directors had used AI.
Burnham previously rejected a moratorium “at this point,” while saying local communities should benefit from data centre developments.
Estimates of permanent jobs from planned sites differ: Verdant projects about 10,400 by 2035, while techUK projects 40,200.
- Who
- Brian May has urged Andy Burnham to halt new UK AI data centres.
- What
- May is calling for a moratorium and has criticised AI's impacts; Burnham has declined to impose a moratorium for now.
- When
- May repeated his request in a recent Times interview; he had also called for action in August.
- Where
- The United Kingdom.
- Why
- May says AI's harms and the environmental and social costs of data centres are serious concerns.
Pause or restrict data centre construction
Allow development with community benefits
Whether to impose a moratorium
Pause or restrict data centre construction
May says new AI data centres should be stopped, citing AI's harms and the risk of damage to the countryside.
Allow development with community benefits
Burnham said he would not go as far as a moratorium “at this point” and cited potential benefits for communities and investment.
Economic impact and jobs
Pause or restrict data centre construction
Verdant estimates planned sites will provide about 10,400 permanent roles by 2035.
Allow development with community benefits
techUK projects 40,200 roles; techUK and the government dispute Verdant's methodology.
- May's request
- Stop new AI data centres being built in the UK.
- Burnham's position
- He said he would not impose a moratorium “at this point.”
- Cancelled video
- May scrapped a video for “My Angels Are Calling” after learning AI had been used.
- Verdant jobs estimate
- About 10,400 permanent roles from planned sites by 2035.
- techUK jobs estimate
- 40,200 permanent roles from planned sites by 2035.
- Community benefits
- Burnham pointed to AI Growth Zones, where local authorities keep 100% of business-rate growth.