The future is a curious place. It is filled with the unknown; it's surrounded by assumptions, beliefs, and a faint smell of fear. Since none of us know what is to truly come next, we become frightened. What is it about the unknown that makes us uncomfortable? Why does it make the hair on the back of our neck stick straight out? Do we feel that if we know what is to come, there will be less suffering? Less heartache?
To know...a place where laughter is shared daily, smiles are planted on faces, and life seems easy. There is a sense of not needing to worry because you already know what is to come. In the bubble of knowing, planning is necessary. There must be a date, time, place, and location that one must consider, and recognize every minute of every hour. This is seen as comforting. To know that you will be where you're "supposed" to be. With the art of knowing, there is a sense that nothing can go wrong and everything will be the way it's supposed to be because it was planned. For others, there may be little planning, but they have a sense of what will go on throughout the duration of their day. While knowing may come with a sense of comfort, would you want to know too far into the future? This may include knowing when you'll die, what you will die of, how the world around us may crumble, and more.
To not know...there is a sense of panic, fear written all over you. You tremble while making your decisions, knowing that you will not know the consequences to your actions. Could you ruin something that was meant to be? The unexpected is right around the corner and the thought of that can make us sick to our stomachs. Some of the questions we ask ourselves everyday are stuck in this bubble of anxiety. Such as: Do I belong with this person? When will I die? Will I ever have children? Have I already met the one I will marry? How will I know if I'm doing something wrong? The questions are endless, as is the space they nest in. There is also a sense of comfort in not knowing though. We are able to live our lives daily, without having to worry about the outcome of our future; when that time comes, we will deal with it then.
Why do we fear the unknown? Is it because we don't want to know? Or is it because we know we don't want to hear what the future holds?
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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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