As college students, one of the best ways to build our resumes and learn the skills of our career track is through internships. Whether they be paid or unpaid, they provide valuable insight into the industry you aim to pursue.
Since July of last year, I have been interning for a non-profit organization, unpaid. But all that I have learned and will take with me to provide to future employers is priceless. I would even go as far to say that internships offer more for you than the classes you pay to take. And to think that they're free, or even pay you to learn.
And I'll tell you why I feel so strongly about internships. Being a Mass Communications major, it is crucial that I learn how to use various creative software. Coming into my internship, I had the skill of video editing and shooting video. Now, I have acquired the skills of photoshop, website programming, and so much more while also making a contribution to the channel and my company's overall look. It feels good to see the work that I put my time and effort into, being published for more than just a professor to see.
Not only have I acquired a new skill set but, I have come to fully understand what is expected of me to be successful not only with this company, but also throughout the entire industry of telecommunications. I also have a better understanding of what to expect in regards to a typical day in this field, as well as what challenges I will be facing in my career and how to overcome them. My time with this company is very valuable in my journey to success and no in class experience could replace all that I have learned by actually participating in the field. And if I work hard enough, this could turn into a real job once I graduate.
Internships can be intimidating. Networking with professionals and dealing with real clients can seem a bit scary but I assure you, if you're on the fence about applying, just do it. If you're with a good company, they'll understand you're a student and therefore they'll have to adjust to your learning curve but in no time, you yourself will become a valuable asset to the team and it will be a win-win for you and your employer.
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
