It's finally here. The biggest moment of your life. Well of course behind seeing Beyonce in a Starbuck's and the birth of your first child (in that exact order). Graduation. After four years of: "Is this the right scantron," or "That was due yesterday," and "We have a test today?" you can finally breathe a little easier knowing that you don't have a 500 word essay, two critical analysis, a case study, and quiz due the next day. After 16 years of being in the institutionalized education system, it's time to put on your big kid pants, take the world by storm, and let the world know you've arrived. Graduation is a mile marker for the transition into true adulthood. It's way more than just a dance across a platform, it's a symbol verifying your goals and values, Its a monument of your success, and a stepping stone to an unlimited amount of opportunities. Yet, after long nights and even longer days, some people walk across that stage without even the slightest clue as to what's next in life. That's completely alright. There is no rule, permanently etched anywhere into the cobblestone of campus that says you have to know where you're going directly after graduation. Whether you decide to stay home and figure out how to more quickly secure your ranking as a millionaire, work to save up to ensure a good foundation as an adult, or jump right into your chosen career path, as long as you're happy, that is all that matters. Nothing is permanent and we are bound to change our minds. Our 20's are a time of discovery and adventure. Stay up late and regret it, pull an all-nighter during finals, or take a road trip with your best friends. It is now that we are finally past that awkward stage in life where we wore suspenders and had our moms drop us off at the mall. We are no longer restricted (this includes our wardrobe choices as well). We now have freedom, and along with it knowledge and more wisdom than what we started with. We may not always make the right decision but that's expected. We thrive and survive on experience. So don't fear the future. Don't be afraid of failure. College, instilling values such as sacrifice and ambition into us, has more than prepared us for what's to come. So when you're at your post-graduation dinner and man-child cousin gives you the third degree on your "after graduation plans," smile and don't be ashamed to say that you genuinely don't know. Take your time in deciding because you have fought the good fight, you have run the race, and the world is now your oyster.
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The Illusion of Creativity
AI-generated music is often marketed as “artistic” or “educational.” But what does it really teach?
- That style can be replicated without understanding.
- That emotion can be simulated without feeling.
- That effort can be bypassed with a prompt.
For young creators, this sets a dangerous precedent. Why learn to play guitar when an algorithm can do it faster? Why study harmony when AI can generate chord progressions in seconds? The risk isn’t just laziness — it’s the loss of depth, discipline, and the tactile joy of creation.
I have listened to several AI-generated music covers. My initial reaction was one of considerable impressiveness, particularly regarding the reimagining of classic pop hits in diverse genres with novel arrangements. Here is one good example a-ha — Take On Me
However, after engaging with several such Ai generated song covers, a sense of emotional detachment emerged, attributable to the perceived absence of human artistry and genuine sentiment, resulting in a technically flawless yet ultimately soulless auditory experience.
Copyright in Crisis
What does the copyright law say about AI generated music, especially in field of music covers. Who is liable for copyright in this case, AI developers, people who used AI to generate music or people who published it on music platforms?
Recent lawsuits show that the music industry is pushing back hard:
- Universal, Sony, and Warner sued AI music platforms Suno and Udio in 2024 for allegedly training their models on copyrighted songs without permission Ars Technica The Lyon Firm.
- They’re seeking up to $150,000 per infringed song, arguing that the AI outputs resemble famous tracks and voices (e.g., Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson).
- These lawsuits target the developers of the AI tools — but they raise broader questions:The legal gray area is training data. Courts haven’t yet ruled definitively on whether using copyrighted songs to train AI counts as infringement or fair use Sites at USC.
But who’s liable?
Role | Legal Risk | Why |
AI Developers | ✅ High | For training on copyrighted material without licenses. |
Users | ⚠️ Moderate | If they intentionally recreate protected works. |
Publishers/Platforms | ✅ High | For distributing infringing content. |
The grey area lies in training data. Courts haven’t yet ruled definitively on whether using copyrighted songs to train AI counts as infringement or fair use. Meanwhile, AI-generated works themselves aren’t eligible for copyright unless a human provides substantial creative input — leaving them in legal limbo.
The Educational Mirage
Some argue that AI music helps people learn genres, production styles, or vocal techniques. But this “education” often lacks context. It’s like learning to paint by watching a printer — technically impressive, but creatively hollow.
True musical education involves:
- Struggle and iteration: Learning through mistakes.
- Emotional connection: Expressing what words can’t.
- Cultural lineage: Understanding the roots of sound.
AI shortcuts bypass all of this. And in doing so, they risk flattening the rich terrain of human creativity into a sterile landscape of algorithmic mimicry.
Why This Fight Matters
This isn’t just about music. It’s about the future of art, storytelling, and human expression. If we allow machines to dominate creative spaces, we risk turning culture into content — optimized, monetized, and devoid of soul.
We must ask: Do we want a world where art is made by machines, or one where machines help humans make better art?
5 Key Takeaways
- AI-generated music blurs the line between innovation and erosion in the creative arts
- AI-generated music raises questions about copyright, culture, education, and artistic expression
- AI-generated music can replicate style without understanding, simulate emotion without feeling, and bypass effort with a prompt
- AI-generated music sets a dangerous precedent for young creators by potentially leading to a loss of depth, discipline, and joy of creation
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