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Big Machine Records CEO Scott Borchetta fired back at college graduates who booed him for discussing the ongoing artificial intelligence revolution during his commencement speech.
Borchetta, the 63-year-old music mogul who is credited for discovering Taylor Swift, shrugged off the graduates’ disapproval, saying they would regret not listening to him at Middle Tennessee State University’s ceremony on May 10.
“We are the agents of change and the agents of next, and this industry will change on you in a heartbeat. It has already changed more in the last 10 years than in the 50 years prior,” Borchetta told the crowd inside the Murphy Athletic Center in Murfreesboro, Tenn. “Streaming rewrote the economics. Social media rewrote the discovery model.
“AI is rewriting production as we sit here,” Borchetta said as he was met with a chorus of boos inside the university’s 10,000-seat arena.
“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.
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