Jethro Tull frontman Ian Anderson is sounding the alarm about the growing prevalence of artificial intelligence-generated content that is falsely attributed to him online — and he’s urging fans to be cautious about what they see and share.
In a message posted to the band’s official social media channels, Anderson opened with a simple declaration — “the real Ian Anderson here” — before addressing an issue he described as both widespread and troubling. According to his statement, a number of fan websites and social media accounts are displaying AI-generated material that claims to be authored by him, including lyrics, music and commentary.
Anderson called this content “insidious, childish and dishonest,” and warned it should not be treated as genuine. He urged followers to verify material against the band’s official accounts and websites, noting that anything not endorsed by Jethro Tull’s official channels is likely fake or copied from legitimate sources.
While the current examples involve his own work, Anderson stressed that the problem isn’t unique to him or Jethro Tull. He said that many public figures and artists are seeing their personas manipulated through AI tampering, whether for amusement or, in some cases, financial gain. Anderson described these developments as just “the tip of the iceberg” of a larger trend in which technology is outpacing the ability of audiences to detect authenticity.
Looking further ahead, Anderson voiced a stark concern: as AI algorithms become more sophisticated, distinguishing real material from fabricated content will only get harder. In his view, unchecked AI fakery could erode trust in all sources of information or entertainment, leaving audiences unsure what is genuine. “Sad world and sadder times…” he concluded.
Despite the warning, Jethro Tull remains active, with a 2026 tour scheduled to begin on February 11 in Munich, Germany. The band’s official website notes that it only lists concert dates that are fully finalized, reflecting an effort to avoid confusion amid the broader concerns about misinformation and fraudulent listings circulating online.
