Fender’s CEO seems to think your bandmates are just analog AI
Fender CEO Edward Bud Cole draws heavy criticism from the guitar community after comparing learning cover songs and band collaboration to analog AI.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Fender CEO Edward "Bud" Cole gave an interview to T3 magazine in May celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Telecaster.
- Cole sparked controversy by comparing learning cover songs and collaborating with bandmates to a form of analog AI.
- The resurfaced comments further damage Fender's reputation following intense backlash over copyright claims on the Stratocaster body shape.
A fresh wave of controversy is hitting Fender as comments made by CEO Edward "Bud" Cole in a May interview with T3 magazine begin making the rounds online. Conducted by T3 editor-in-chief Mat Gallagher to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the iconic Telecaster, Cole's remarks regarding artificial intelligence and music initially flew under the radar before resurfacing to fuel an already raging public relations crisis for the guitar manufacturer.
The backlash comes on the heels of Fender angering nearly the entire guitar-playing community by sending cease-and-desist letters to independent builders while claiming copyright protection over the Stratocaster body shape. Prominent guitar YouTubers have publicly stated they are done purchasing Fender equipment as a result. Cole's resurfaced philosophy comparing cover songs and human bandmates to "analog AI" has only driven the company's standing lower among its most vocal online fans.
When leadership at a legacy instrument brand equates human artistic expression and collaboration to machine learning algorithms, it risks alienating creators at a time when musicians are fiercely defending copyright and the intrinsic value of human craft against generative AI.
During the interview, Cole expressed his philosophy that AI in music is nothing new, stating it has existed for as long as recorded music itself. While acknowledging that learning to play the instrument is the primary barrier to entry, he pointed to songwriting as the secondary hurdle where AI comes into play. He argued that individuals lacking songwriting skills often lean on playing music by their favorite artists—such as REM, U2, The Smiths, or The Cure—which he characterizes as a long-standing form of analog AI.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Cole further suggested that beginners taking their initial steps into composition can lean on another analog version of AI: their fellow bandmates. Starting with just a basic chorus or riff, a drummer or bassist can contribute to build a complete song, a role he believes AI can replicate. He stated that the industry is on the brink of freeing people from playing the same old covers and moving into workflows that mirror traditional band collaboration.
Source: The Verge
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