Growing up, we are told that eighteen is the age where we are an adult and that’s all there is to it. However, what happens when we reach that age and we feel entitled to the new, adult life we were promised but it’s not any different from the year before when we were a kid? At eighteen, we are at a crossroads in our lives. We have the opportunity to start fresh and find a new version of ourselves. Perhaps that’s why eighteen is that magic number in which our lives start to mold and shape into whatever we make them. As a college sophomore, I am more than elbow deep into my future plans and goals. I find myself baffled by the responsibilities I’ve taken on in just the short year and a half I’ve been here at Ohio State. So, as I worry about “real world” problems such as rent, utilities, and career planning on top of my already heavy class load, I find no problem in defining myself as an adult. Yes, I know I’m still in the dreaded teen years as I have yet to complete my second decade of living. However, does that discredit my ability to think critically about the world around me, and to make mature, adult decisions? Absolutely not. The problem with growing up in today’s society is that we are constantly told to strive to reach our goals, no matter our age or background, but when we do exactly that, the big kids laugh in our face. So, how do we change this perspective? How do we make “the man” take a step back and realize that we are here and we are ready to step into our shoes as the very near future leaders of not only the country, but also the world as we know it? We do exactly that. We fill those shoes like Cinderella rightfully filled her glass slipper and we fill them like they were made only for us. Our voices are one of the only things the big bad society cannot take away from us. So, why not use them and use them well? History will explicitly show that one single voice can change the course of the world as we know it. So, what happens when a whole group, a whole generation decides to say in one collective voice, “Hey, we’re here! We’re not going anywhere and we absolutely have a say”? Well, that would be quite a boisterous noise that would certainly be difficult for the rest of the world to push aside.
Recommended for you
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
Trending Topics
Trending Stories
Best of Politics and Activism![Jenna Pizzi and her mom smiling by a waterfront with a historic ship in the background.]()
![Cristina Yang and Meredith Grey in scrubs sit against a wall, smiling and enjoying a break.]()
![Woman in field with a red heart-shaped balloon under a colorful sky.]()
