Last year, I managed to go to California three times during the school year, I went to Spain over winter break, and I went into the city - Chicago - way more than I should have. Let's just say I find a lot of things to be more important than school. In three weeks, I will be flying to San Jose, California for a long weekend and missing my fourth to last day of college ever. Before you sneer at me or tell me that I am wasting my tuition money, I think you're wrong. Sure some classes are fun but most classes I sit on Facebook and work on other homework the whole time.
Life has so much to offer us and all that we have been taught over the years is that we can not get a job or function in society without a college degree. Let me tell you a few jobs that you don't need a college degree for:
Computer Programmer
Web Developer
Real-estate Broker
Claims Adjuster
Gaming Manager
Commercial Pilot
The way I see it, we have all grown up being told that we need this to be a functioning adult but we also need to get out of Naperville or where ever you might be and really live, without a schedule, without expectations. My life has changed immensely from just going outside of my comfort zone, traveling alone, and not being on a schedule. I'm a more driven person now and I feel like I have become more well rounded, oh and, surprise!, I still keep my GPA at a 3.0.
I have just slammed the idea of a college degree so why am I in college you're asking? I made a deal with my dad that I would in fact get a degree, so I am in IMS Technology. I've learned a lot of coding but nothing a book or Youtube couldn't have taught me. I've had irreplaceable experiences and made lifelong friends but done it while not being a slave to North Central College.
When I take trips, I ask around to see if anyone wants to go with me, the answers never fail to be the same. The answer is consistently, "I can't, I have school." Yeah, school is important but just not as important as learning outside of the classroom is for me. I get asked all the time how I do it, well, if you want something bad enough you make it work.
I respect your decision to go to school and to be a good student but don't let any institution keep you from exploring the world outside of this tiny little box.
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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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