Fender’s CEO Wades into AI Waters – And So Does Its Reputation Fender's long standing reputation as a manufacturer of high quality musical instruments has taken a beating in recent months due to its aggressive pursuit of intellectual property claims against independent guitar builders.
The company's efforts have antagonized the music community, with many prominent YouTubers vowing to boycott Fender.
In May, Fender's CEO, Edward "Bud" Cole, made comments likening cover songs and bandmates to analog versions of artificial intelligence.