Growing up in a small town is sometimes a curse, but it can also be a blessing. Growing older I have realized just how lucky I was to grow up in such a small area. Salyersville, Kentucky is the actual definition of small town, USA. We have two red lights, four dollar stores and about 100 churches. Okay, maybe the last one was a little far-fetched, but you get the idea. Also, the closest Wal-Mart was 15 minutes away. I really hated growing up in a small town and always talked about leaving. I finally moved around five months ago, yet I find that I miss it like crazy. It's not the actual town that I miss; I miss knowing everyone. I miss having my mamaw and aunt as my next door neighbors. I miss knowing that regardless of the time of day when I walk into the local grocery store that I'm bound to see at least four people that I know. For fun we would hang out in the local IGA parking lot or for me and my friends, the Dairy Queen parking lot. My graduating class consisted of 130 students at most, and we all grew up together. No, literally we only had one middle school and one high school. Another thing I miss is knowing that someone always had my back, regardless of the situation. When disaster struck we all would come together and help each other out. I miss making fun of the town, but getting mad when someone else from another county poked fun. I miss being related to over half the county. I miss being connected to everyone in even the smallest of ways. I miss gossiping with everyone about all the latest small town drama. Even though I definitely wouldn't want to move back, it'll always be home to me. No matter what, Salyersville will have a major part of my heart; it's where I said my first words and took my first steps. It's where I kissed my first boy and had my first heartbreak. So I want to say a 'thank you' to Salyersville, because without it, I wouldn't be the person that I am today.
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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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