I honestly don't remember exactly what my last New Year's Resolution was. It probably had something to do with losing weight (shocker; that's probably the most common resolution of them all), or possibly journaling (I love writing, but I find it difficult to sit down in one place and write every day). Unsurprisingly, my New Year's Resolutions have never really stuck. I used to make them just because it was the thing to do. But this year (for the first time in several years), I'm actually planning a resolution, and I think I'll be able to stick to it. It has to do with budgeting better and actually saving instead of spending, but the important part is that I'm not just working with the revenue stream I already have. I've signed up for maybe half a dozen sites created to make or find money for you, like Paribus, InboxDollars, and ShopTracker (which is run by The Harris Poll). Some of these sites are survey sites, which pay you in "points" that you can redeem for gift cards or cash. Paribus can track email receipts and get you money when the price drops on a product you've already purchased. I've created a new savings account where I plan to deposit $100 a month for (at least) the next year, and I've started it with a little over $200 already there. This account will be my emergency fund–something I had yet to create, but knew that I needed. I've also started using Mint to help me budget. I've had the app for a while, but I have vowed to use it more seriously from now on. Mint can connect all of your bank accounts, credit cards, student loans, auto loans... You name it, Mint can probably keep track of it. They've also recently added a feature that allows you to pay bills through the website or mobile app. In short, I'm hoping that by creating a budget, using a mobile app to track it, and raking in a little extra money on the side (every little bit helps!), I'll be able to actually keep a New Year's Resolution for once. Maybe the key is careful planning for something that you want... so don't be afraid to go out there and make your own resolution!
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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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