Fender CEO compares cover songs and bandmates to “analog AI”

In short: Fender CEO Edward “Bud” Cole is facing backlash after an older interview resurfaced where he compared cover songs and even bandmates to a kind of “analog AI.”

What happened

Edward “Bud” Cole, the CEO of Fender, gave an interview to T3 in May while talking about the 75th anniversary of the Telecaster guitar. In that interview, he said he believes “AI in music is nothing new,” and argued it has existed as long as recorded music has existed.

Cole also said, “cover music has been sort of analog AI for a long time.” He seemed to mean that when musicians learn and play other people’s songs, they are using those songs the way an AI system uses examples. (AI systems are often trained by studying lots of existing examples, like a student learning by reading many books.)

The comments did not get much attention at first. They have spread more widely in recent days, according to The Verge, and are being criticized by some guitar fans online.

This is happening during a separate Fender controversy. Fender has sent cease-and-desist letters to some guitar builders, claiming copyright over the Stratocaster body shape. Some popular guitar YouTubers have said they plan to stop buying Fender products because of that dispute.

Why it matters

AI and music is already a sensitive topic, because many artists worry that AI-made songs can copy their work without permission. When a major music brand’s CEO compares everyday music learning, like playing cover songs, to AI, it can sound like he is downplaying those concerns. That can affect how much musicians and fans trust the company.

Source: The Verge AI