More than half of adults surveyed support the use of artificial intelligence to create new music from artists who have died, according to new research commissioned by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, highlighting growing public openness to AI’s role in creative work alongside persistent concerns about its impact.
The study found that 58% of respondents were in favour of AI being used to generate new music inspired by deceased musicians and composers. Michael Jackson emerged as the most popular choice among those surveyed, followed by Queen frontman Freddie Mercury and reggae icon Bob Marley. Other frequently mentioned artists included John Lennon and Elvis Presley, underscoring continued public appetite for new material connected to some of the most influential figures in music history.
While pop artists dominated responses, the findings also revealed interest in AI generated music beyond mainstream genres. Respondents expressed curiosity about artificial intelligence creating new orchestral and jazz compositions inspired by historical figures such as Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, Louis Armstrong and Glenn Miller, suggesting that support for AI in music extends into classical and instrumental traditions.
The research arrives as AI generated tracks continue to appear in growing numbers on streaming platforms, sharpening debates around copyright, originality and royalty structures. Music industry stakeholders continue to grapple with how to compensate creators when AI systems train on or draw inspiration from existing works, and whether posthumous output aligns with artistic intent and legacy.
Despite notable support for experimentation, skepticism remains widespread. The survey found that 56% of respondents believe AI could reduce creative innovation in music, while just 21% felt it would increase it. Concerns around formulaic output and excessive reliance on algorithms continue to shape public attitudes toward AI driven creativity.
Live music appears far less affected by these concerns. More than three quarters of respondents said artificial intelligence would not be able to replicate human creativity in live performance settings, reinforcing the belief that concerts and orchestral events remain fundamentally human experiences.
Huw Davies, deputy managing director of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, said:
“For decades, technology has been an important tool for musicians. Without it we wouldn’t have had the recorded music era on vinyl and CD… And more recently, the internet, social media and streaming sites have done so much to open up access to music, its discovery and enjoyment… The early results from our new UK data suggests there are polarised consumer opinions on AI’s growing involvement with music as a creative art form.”
“Some people support it, others dislike anything that challenges the integrity of human creativity,” he continued. “It is reassuring that three-quarters of people see the magic of live music events as something where human creativity cannot be challenged, although if people lose jobs to AI in the future, the performing arts may have new challenges when it comes to filling concert halls.”
“As with all forms of technology, we need to embrace change and innovation,” Davies agreed. “But we also need to think early about the possible consequences, and let these guide us when it comes to our terms of engagement with AI.”
These findings form part of an early release from a broader Royal Philharmonic Orchestra study examining public attitudes toward AI and music, which is expected to be published in full at the end of January 2026. The survey was conducted among 2,000 adults in the United Kingdom.