To My Lunch Table Squad,
I sit here today with much more than just miles and a couple class periods before lunch between each and every one of you, and all I can think about is how incredibly thankful I am. Thankful for all the days that overflowed with laughter so hard that I swear I was one snort away from peeing my pants. Thankful for all the things that I didn’t need to say because we just knew. But most importantly, I’m thankful for developing one hell of a family that would stand by me through any and everything, no questions asked. Dysfunctional as we may all be, it never mattered where we were and what we’re doing, we knew that we all had each other’s backs and that my friends, never ceases to make me smile.
The old adage of “distance makes the heart grow fonder” couldn’t be any clearer.
Being here trying to make something of my life at college has put a lot of things into perspective for me. We grow up all our life dreaming of the next, bigger and better thing, impatient and unappreciative towards the things that stand before us. I couldn’t wait to take that next step, anything but there, in that small town at that high school, was better. College was supposed to be my big escape, where I planned to leave that world behind me for good and never intended to look back. But now sitting here in this dorm, I realize just how great I really had it. You're out there doing your thing, and I'm so happy that you are all one step closer to making your wildest dreams come true. But the truth is, I miss you all to pieces. I miss hugging people and feeling that warmth reciprocated. A hug had with someone who’s shared your greatest moments while they simultaneously held you up during the times you never thought you’d make it out alive.
Don’t get me wrong, college has its many perks and has given me a whole new batch of friends, but they will never be able to replace the ones like you who I’ve had since day one. So I ask you all, is it that we "don’t know what we have until it’s gone", or is it more along the lines of "we could never have fathomed that we would have to ever be without it"?
What I’m trying to say is I love you. I miss you. And there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think about each of you, wondering what you’re up to, and hoping that you’re thinking of me too. I know that you all are capable of doing some mighty spectacular things in your lives, and I don’t expect anything less. I can’t wait until the day that I can see all of the wonderful things you’ve done and all the other fortunate people you’ve affected and changed for the better. Hopefully, they know what an honor it is to have met you.
I just wanted you all to know that no matter where you are, what you’re doing and who you meet, you will always have a friend who loves you and wishes you the absolute best with all your future endeavors. You will all forever be some of the best people I’ve ever met, hands down. Your heart is true, your mind is clear and your aura is beaming. Anyone who is able to put up with me and my charades year in and year out deserves a standing ovation. Thanks for all that you are, all you’ve yet to do and for giving me memories I will cherish for the rest of my life.
Stay real.
xoxo,
Your Childhood Friend
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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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