There’s always that one song that will always remind you of someone near and dear to your heart, whether they’re with you or not. It was six months ago on a Saturday evening that I heard the news that I wish wasn’t true, the news that would change the way that I listen to one song. That night around 9ish I started a 20 min walk to my friends house whom was having some friends over. I had not even made it half way to his house when my phone rang, it was my mother. I answered and she started with that dreaded line that I hated to hear, it was the line that made every bone in my body ache. She had called me to tell me that a family friend, another brother to me had passed away at only 25 years old. I lost it right in that moment; I dropped to the ground in the middle of the sidewalk and just sat there. I could not move, I had just lost a part of my heart. The following morning I went home to be home with my family and we all came together to support one another. September 9th,2016, my 21st birthday is one birthday that will always be engraved in my memory. I woke up that morning to attend a funeral that I was not prepared for and never would be. Jimmy was someone who could make anyone smile with his goofy smile. He was someone that greeted you with a hug and didn’t leave without giving you another hug. Jimmy is the reason that I can’t and never will be able to listen to ‘Chicken Fried’ the same way again. Its funny how one person can change the way that you listen to one song forever. Jimmy loved ‘Chicken Fried’; whenever he was at our house he would listen to it on repeat. As of lately it’s as if I have been listening to it on repeat, having heard it over 10 times in the last week, I couldn’t help but miss him singing along. No matter what I’m doing when it comes on, I stop and focus on the song. For me it’s a constant reminder that Jimmy is with me always, he doesn’t want me to forget him. For me ‘Chicken Fried’ will never again be just a song because it holds so much more meaning to me now. That song holds that big grin of his, every hug from him, every kind word he said, and all the jokes he made. Whenever I hear ‘Chicken Fried’ it always brings a huge smile to my face because I know that Jimmy is up in heaven jamming out to the song with me. No matter when I hear the song next, whether it is tomorrow or 5 years down the road Jimmy will always come to mind and it will always bring a smile to my face.
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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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