As my 20th birthday approaches and my teenage years fall behind me, I can't help but wonder what the big 2-0 really means to me. Everyone seems to view 20 as an "in between" year, but I think it is more than that. Sure, it's not your 18th birthday and certainly not your 21st, but it's a bold year to me. My 20th birthday embarks my third decade of life. My twenties will be the time where everything happens. I have absolutely no idea what lies ahead of me, but this is my time to figure it out and live it.
Up until now, I have gone through trials that have tested my character. Each test taught me something new about myself. My teenage years were a time for me to make mistakes and handle my consequences. They were a time for me to learn lessons that I will utilize for the rest of my life. They were a time for immature relationships and a few destructive decisions along the way. My teenage years were a time for me to learn who I really am. I know that I am not done learning yet, and I hope I never will be. I do, however, know that I am filled with ambition to seek my full potential. I think now is the time to do it.
My twenties are going to be a time of numerous opportunities. During this time I will graduate, travel to new places, move, work in new environments, experience true independence, and possibly even start my own family. It is a time to write new thoughts, strengthen friendships, attend more concerts, work really hard, listen to new songs, make my best memories, spend time with the people I care about most, not know what the heck I am doing sometimes, and experience adulthood while still tasting freedom. I will be walking down the aisle in countless colorful bridesmaid dresses and possibly a white one as well. I will watch my dearest friends fall in love with extraordinary people, buy their first houses, accomplish their dreams, and have kids of their own.
I am excited to start this new season in my life. Additionally, doesn't "twenty" just sound glamorous? I will finally be an age that is not followed by "-teen". 20 is two years away from singing 22 by Taylor Swift and meaning it. 20 is one year away from fruity mixed drinks, popping champagne, and buying my own bottles of wine. Although there are no serious milestones that are attached to turning 20, it is the start of something terrific. Everyone says that your twenties are the best years of your life. And if everyone says it, it must be true. So, here's to me and my new adventures! Here's to a decade of seeking, being spontaneous, buckling down, living loud, having courage, and finding out what life has to offer me. Here's to endless opportunities, genuine friendships, true love, and a heaping amount of firsts. Here's to 20!
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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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