CEO of Big Machine Records booed after bringing up AI during commencement speech

Scott Borchetta, CEO of Big Machine Records, was met with boos during a commencement speech at Middle Tennessee State University’s College of Media and Entertainment earlier this month. He defended AI as a tool, stating, 'Deal with it. Like I said, it's a tool,' and warned that the industry was already transforming faster than ever. The crowd’s negative reaction mirrored recent incidents where other speakers, including former Google CEO Eric Schmidt at the University of Arizona and Tavistock Development Company executive Gloria Caulfield at the University of Central Florida, were also booed for discussing AI’s role in reshaping professions and economies. The backlash reflects growing distrust among young Americans toward AI, particularly as they face economic disruption and job market uncertainty. Schmidt acknowledged graduates’ fears, noting concerns about job loss, climate collapse, and political instability, while Borchetta emphasized that AI was rewriting production in real time. Many students appear to view AI adoption as an inevitability imposed by leaders, rather than a choice or collaborative solution. A recent New York Times/Siena College poll highlights this unease, with 35% of American voters—including a higher percentage of those aged 18 to 29—viewing AI as 'mostly bad.' The skepticism stems from questions about who benefits from AI, who bears its risks, and how it will alter public life. Critics argue that framing AI as unavoidable shifts the burden onto everyday people without addressing their concerns. The trend suggests a broader cultural divide between younger generations and institutional leaders over technology’s role in society. While some see AI as a tool for progress, others view it as a force of disruption that exacerbates inequality and instability. The booing at graduation ceremonies underscores this tension, as students push back against narratives that present AI as an inescapable, unquestioned future.