Briskly walking down the rows gazing over the amount of students sitting in the seats, I make my way up to the stage. With my tassel flailing on my right as I sit in my seat, I begin to take this moment in. This is it. We are graduating. I never thought this moment would come so soon, and the smile ceases to leave my face. The tears of joy and remembrance well up inside of me as I think back to walking the halls of my school and meeting all new people. High school has been quite the adventure, and I'm so glad it happened. Today will be the last time I will see a majority of our class, but it's time. It's time to let go. As I am called up to the podium to make my speech, I realize how great high school was. From football games to attending club events, I wouldn't have changed a moment.
Dear Seniors,
I wish you all farewell, class of 2016. I wish I could've meet every single one of you. I wish we each could've had a moment of knowing each other. As we embark on our endeavors, remember what we've learned in our childhood. This is the end of a season, but the beginning of a new one. Take this moment in. We did it. We're graduating. Wherever life my take you from here on out, I wish you the best. I hope that at some point in your life you learn the importance of knowing the Lord and knowing what freedom there is in Christ. I'm saying this because I've been changed by the Gospel, and I want everyone to experience the same liberation and love I've had. I hope that throughout high school you've been able to see Christ in the lives of people that know Him here. I hope that we have been a blessing to you. Thank you for the wonderful memories that I will never forget. Thank you to the wonderful friends I've made. Old and new, we stick together like glue. Life is just starting and I hope you go and live it to the fullest. As we move our tassels, let us not forget the symbolism of moving from childhood into adulthood. From being kids in the neighborhoods to being all separated yet still united as the class of 2016. It's been a good run. It's time to officially soar like rocket ships and start our own journeys. It's time to begin again. There's a fresh start waiting there for us all. Wherever you're going, I hope you remember that you were selected to be there. You were chosen. This is the time for all of us to reflect on what has happened and how we can better ourselves for our future. Let's look back down memory lane and see how wonderful high school has been. Thank you for the memories. We have a bond like no other, and today is the day that will change our lives. This is a pivot point. You can now be whoever you want to be, so go and make it good.
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
