Share and Follow
Scott Borchetta, the CEO of Big Machine Records, found himself in the spotlight recently, not for his usual music industry achievements, but for the reaction he received during a commencement address. As he addressed graduates at Middle Tennessee State University on May 10, his comments on the transformative power of artificial intelligence drew a mixed response.
Known for his pivotal role in launching the career of Taylor Swift, the 63-year-old Borchetta was unfazed by the students’ booing. He confidently predicted that those who dismissed his warnings might come to regret it. Speaking at the Murphy Athletic Center in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, he emphasized the rapid pace of change in the music industry, noting how the last decade has been more transformative than the previous fifty years.
“We are the agents of change and the agents of next,” he declared, highlighting the swift evolution brought on by streaming services and social media. “Streaming rewrote the economics. Social media rewrote the discovery model,” he explained, illustrating the seismic shifts that have already occurred.
As Borchetta turned his attention to artificial intelligence, he noted its ongoing impact on music production, a statement met with disapproval from the 10,000-seat audience. Nevertheless, he stood firm, urging graduates to embrace AI as a tool rather than a threat. “Hey, like I said, you can hear me now or pay me later,” he remarked, challenging them to harness its potential to their advantage.
“Hey, like I said, you can hear me now or pay me later,” he said. “Then do something about it. It’s a tool, make it work for you.”
The crowd consisted of graduating students from MTSU’s Scott Borchetta College of Media and Entertainment, named after the Nashville record label founder, along with the College of Education and the College of Business.
“Here’s a warning: invest in the skill and art of creation and not the platform or the system. Platforms and systems come and go. What is still the most valuable commodity is great content, great storytelling,” he said.
“AI is not going to change that. No matter the platform, content is king. Give it great ideas,” he added. As you step into your next season, know that people who thrive are the people who invested in and trusted their judgment and vision in their own taste, their own instinct. Your judgment cannot be disrupted.”
Borchetta diverted his speech from AI to his own career, recalling his successes in the music industry and invoking his beliefs in unknown artists.
The music exec had discovered Swift, who at the time was a rising teen sensation, and oversaw the release of her first six studio albums.
Swift called Borchetta a fraud after he sold Big Machine Records to Scooter Braun’s control for $330 million, with it the “masters” to the singer’s first albums.
The 36-year-old superstar wasn’t mentioned during introductions for Borchetta, whose label represented multiple country stars, including Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts and Florida Georgia Line.
“Careers are built on someone at some critical moment, looking at something unproven and says, yes, I believe in you,” Borchetta told the graduates.
“It’s the artist that no one has heard of yet. It’s the producer and songwriter fighting for a chance,” he said. “That is the job, that is my job, still. I always say we really work hard to make it look really easy.”
Borchetta invoked country star Riley Green as his latest success, stating the “Worst Way” singer was an eight-year project through the label, which is currently under the Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment umbrella.
“Many of you graduate today with my name on your degree and that is truly my honor. Be the next generation. We’re counting on you.” Borchetta said to a resounding applause.
University of Central Florida graduates booed Florida real estate executive Gloria Caulfield when she proclaimed that “artificial intelligence is the next Industrial Revolution” during her commencement speech on May 8.
“The rise of artificial intelligence is the next Industrial Revolution,” Caulfield said as a loud chorus of boos rained down on her.