SZA urges fans to stop making AI images and songs of her to “save the children”

R&B star SZA has urged her fans to stop generating AI images and songs of her, warning that the practice has real-world consequences.

SZA, best known for her Grammy-winning album SOS and hits like “Kill Bill,” has become one of the biggest voices in contemporary R&B. Alongside her music, she has built a strong online following where fans often share art and memes inspired by her.

A recent trend has seen people posting images of themselves posing with AI-generated versions of SZA in front of a white curtain backdrop. The singer said she’s seen dozens of these edits circulating online, and she wants it to stop.

SZA condems AI photos of herself with fans

In a series of Instagram stories on September 19, SZA told followers not to create AI images or songs of her. “If you f*** w me PLEASE don’t make any AI images of me or songs. Ppl and children are dying from the harm n pollution AI energy centers are creating,” she wrote.

She argued that the technology contributes to pollution that harms underserved communities, saying a “stupid photo” is not worth the damage. “Every time U use or prompt AI someone in a forgotten community is suffering… eventually the effects will reach everyone. By then it’ll be too late.”

SZA followed up her message by sharing examples of AI art that used her likeness and stating, “Yall i’m not crazy I swear. I’m just tryna save the children.”

Fans didn’t seem upset at being called out. One even joked they would wear a shirt of SZA’s story putting them on blast if they ever met the singer in real life.