I think we can all agree, every year comes with ups and downs. I figured with the new year around the corner, I would reflect back on my 2016 year, and some of the ups and downs I have experienced. However, each and every event has made me into the person I am today. And for that, I am grateful. Something great or an "up" that had happened was in the summer of 2016. I took a leap of faith and accepted a job at a day camp as part of the rep theater team. I was a little unsure how it was going to go. I had been out of the camp world for a while, and didn't know if I was making the right choice. Plus, this camp had been around for a very long time, and a lot of the staff had become like family to one another. How would an outsider fit in? The unknown and taking risks has never been a favorite of mine. However, it turned out to be an amazing and life changing summer. I was accepted into a great group of people, that I hope to keep in touch with beyond the camp season. Sadly, the camp had its final summer this year. What I didn't know was how it was going to affect me. I didn't understand why when I was finally meeting new people, and things were going great, why it had to be taken away. But what the summer of 2016 has taught me was that even though the camp is no longer there, the bonds I had made will not go away. Another thing that 2016 has brought me is this May, I will finally earn my bachelors degree. This achievement which seemed unreachable, is happening in a matter of months. I feel very accomplished, and still in disbelief that this day will be here before I know it. Joining the Delaware Valley University community really restored my hopes for my education, and has brought me not only success in my academics, but bonds with people that I am very thankful for. I don't really want to go into detail about the challenges or "downs" I have faced this year. The reason for that is, I would like to now in the upcoming year look at these roadblocks I have overcome, and think that I have found positive detours. All in all, 2016 was an interesting year to say the least. They say that "You don't know how strong you are until being strong is the only option you have." -Bob Marley. This quote is something I have lived by this year, and I think I am finally ready to let it go. I look forward to saying goodbye to 2016, and welcoming 2017 with hopes of; new people, new adventures, and a stronger me. To those reading this, have a very happy new year!
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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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