About two weeks ago, a series of statues depicting a naked Donald Trump were erected (do you see what I did there?) in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Seattle and Cleveland. These life-sized beings are the product of an activist collective named INDECLINE. The group has previously spoken out against Trump and hopes that he never reaches the presidency.
What seems to stand out about the statues is that one thing seems to be extremely small and two other things are apparently nonexistent. To put it more bluntly, the name of the statues is "The Emperor Has No Balls". It has a ring to it don't you think?
The statues were received with great laughter and jokes, but some people and news outlets found them to be another instance of body-shaming and just plain bullying. Upworthy used Michelle Obama's speech at the Democratic National Convention as an example of how we must act. That we must 'go high' when bullies and enemies 'go low'. On Facebook, writer Ijeoma Oluo wrote that "we cannot tie Trump's sexist, racist, ableist, Islamophobic, classist bullshit to his dick size". But, I take issue with that.
My problem with turning the other cheek in his instance is that Donald Trump has never shown us that same respect in the first place. When he opens his mouth he doesn't give second thought to his words. He doesn't double-check his facts. He blurts out accusations like they're nothing.
Now, of course my conscience may tell me that I shouldn't treat him with disrespect just because he has done the same to me and countless others. But, I think we as a country and as a world have had quite enough of Trump's blabbermouth and demagogic character. So I say, yeah go ahead and laugh at the statues of Donald Trump's tiny penis. God knows we need a good laugh after all the trash and mud that has been slung in this election. Either way, the statues will be gone soon enough and will become a thing of the past. But, what is really permanent and worthy of respect is your vote. So, come November, vote with your conscience and think: "Is someone worthy of five nude statues also worthy of becoming president?"
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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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