At age 20, I’m in that awkward stage of “I can’t go downtown” and “I’m too old for froshes”. I’m stuck in the middle of officially feeling like an upperclassman and being a cougar even introducing myself to a freshman boy. So where do I go from here? I know I am not alone, and here is my social advice: Remember you’re still 20. You’re not old. I keep thinking, I have only three months, but then I remember- it is only three months left of enjoying this experience. There is no other time in my life I will be accepted in a grungy basement full of pledges. That leads me to my second rule. Forget your surroundings. Ignore the fact that you are in the North Bottoms on your Saturday night. Explore some really strange rooms with too-short ceilings and crowded corners. Enjoy that you’re there with YOUR sorority or fraternity. Once you hit downtown, it’s an array of people. This is your chance to mingle with the freshmen, laugh at the funny things they do, and act like you’re still 18 with them. Be risky. You have a for sure ride home! Continue doing whatever you’re doing, because you will not have to brave a walk home. Meet the other awkward twenty-year-olds. You’re bound to catch them on the outskirts of the dance floor, on the side of the chaser table, or maybe even blending in with the rest of their chapter members. Once you realize you’re both juniors, your night will officially be okay. We are not alone. So, go to froshes. Stop feeling like you are “too cool” to be there. You’re not. These socials are set up for you to attend. It’s normal to get ready for a 9:30 ride. It’s normal to wear heels on a Saturday. It’s even normal to come home at 1:00am, even when you know your friends won’t be in until 2:00am. The hype of froshes is all it’s cut out to be-they are fun.
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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
StableDiffusion
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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