At a time when Fender is already under fire from the musical community, the company’s CEO, Edward “Bud” Cole, has sparked fresh controversy with his recent comments on Artificial Intelligence. In an interview with T3, Cole argued that AI in music is nothing new, going as far as to describe bandmates and learning cover songs as forms of “analog AI.”
The Philosophy of “Analog AI”
According to Cole, the process by which a young musician learns to play songs by their favorite artists—such as R.E.M. or The Cure—is a form of analog training similar to that of AI models. “I actually believe cover music has been sort of analog AI for a long time,” he stated, suggesting that those who do not yet have the skills to write their own material rely on existing data.
Cole extended this comparison to a musician’s collaborators. He suggested that a drummer or bassist adding rhythm to a riff functions in a way that AI can now replicate. In his view, this technology will help musicians move beyond covers and transition from students to “masters of songwriting.”
Backlash and Criticism
These remarks come at a sensitive moment for Fender, which is facing intense criticism for its legal efforts to claim copyright over the Stratocaster body shape. Several influential guitar YouTubers have already announced they are boycotting the brand.
Critics argue that Cole’s comparison ignores the inherent humanity of art. While an AI model is trained on millions of tracks without emotion, a human brings personal experiences, taste, and the “imperfections” that make music unique. Furthermore, concerns have been raised that over-reliance on AI tools will lead to “deskilling,” as true mastery requires the struggle of writing hundreds of mediocre songs before achieving greatness.
