This morning, my phone buzzed with a notifications to attend a convocation event at my school on Buddhist Ethics and the Superhero. My school is very intentional about broadening the scope of the student opinion and mind by exposing them to new thoughts and drawing conclusions of their own. I hadn't attended many convo events - much less than I should've by this point - but I decided I should go and begin to chisel away at what is a long list of credits to get to. I spend a lot of time in dialogue about Christian worldview and opinions due to my major in Religion and the Arts. Having these conversations always in the back of my mind, I felt a spark of curiosity going into this convo event based on the Buddhist worldview. I didn't feel fear for exposure; I felt intrigued. I went in with an open mind, eager to see how other individuals see the world in which we dwell. The conversation was about whether or not there could be such a thing as a truly Buddhist superhero, who embodies the pillars of the Buddhist faith, primarily pacifism. It was an interesting conversation, but what stuck with me the most was how much more ease I felt about the tense conversations that debated in shouts at the back of my mind concerning the things I hold to be true in my faith. Getting out of the conversations I normally find myself in helped to settle the dust being kicked up constantly in my mind and helped me to rest in what I know to be true. When you are picking apart the details, it is difficult to see the broad strokes on which you stand. I say all this to encourage you, gracious reader, to get out of your normal thoughts and conversations and readings and habits to look at the world in a way you may totally disagree with. The truth is not afraid, so why would you feel the need to protect it unless deep down you feel what you think isn't true? Let what is true stand for itself and simply seek to see what it has to say. This can be difficult, but for me, it proved rewarding. It helps to know where your own holes are and where you need filling. Get out there. What does the sun shine on?
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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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