Boy George has debuted an AI-assisted "ethical re-recording" of his 1983 hit song "Karma Chameleon" in partnership with a company called Artist Included.
The project marks a significant attempt by a legacy artist to reclaim their work using generative technology. By establishing a framework for "ethical" AI use, the move seeks to provide a model where artists maintain control over their digital likeness, and vocal identity.
The release coincided with Boy George's 65th birthday in June 2024 [1]. This new version arrives more than 40 years after the original track topped the charts [2]. The singer said the project was intended to serve as a launch for Artist Included, a new artist-first AI company designed to prioritize the rights of the performer.
Reports on the technical process vary. Some sources said the track is an AI-assisted re-recording that utilizes Boy George's original demo vocals [1]. Other reports said the result is AI-generated vocals that recreate the original performance [3].
Boy George said the project was a way to reclaim the song using modern technology. The partnership with Artist Included aims to demonstrate that AI can be used to enhance or restore a performance without stripping the creator of their agency, or compensation.
The use of AI in the music industry has faced criticism over copyright and the potential for unauthorized deepfakes. By branding this as an ethical re-recording, the Culture Club frontman is positioning himself as a proponent of a licensed, consensual approach to synthetic media.
“Boy George has debuted an AI-assisted "ethical re-recording" of his 1983 hit song "Karma Chameleon."”
This initiative signals a shift in how veteran musicians view generative AI, moving from total opposition toward a model of licensed ownership. By launching Artist Included alongside the track, Boy George is attempting to establish a precedent where AI is treated as a tool for artist reclamation rather than a replacement for human performance.
