Being a woman in the 21st century can have its ups and downs. We have voting rights, we are more independent than ever before, we get to go places without being accompanied by a man. But being a woman in the 21st century can be terrifying also; hearing about daily assaults and having to fear about a stranger following you. Most girls my age find their safe place by being with their significant other or their own house but I found mine in September of 2015; Salem College.When I had first heard of Salem, I was a girl in middle school. I laughed about the fact of a women’s college and the people that attended it, however, I didn’t know any better. Now in August, this will be my home for the next four years. People associate women colleges with the students attending it being lesbian, but not all of us are. When I told my friends I got accepted and will be attending Salem and that it’s a women’s college, I was asked if I was lesbian; to this day I still get asked that question.Going to a women’s college has many advantages. For example, the classes are much smaller compared to bigger colleges and universities like WSSU or UNCG- we have close relationships with our professors. Also, we not only form friendships- we form a sisterhood with not only the current students but with past students as well. The sisterhood at Salem begins to form before our move-in day. Our sisterhood begins when we get accepted into Salem. Being on campus has a comfortable vibe as well. We don’t have to worry about our safety because we all will protect each other no matter the situation. Another advantage of attending a women’s college is that the school has a higher graduating rate compared to co-ed colleges and universities. Statistics show that women who graduate from a women’s college are more successful- we get jobs quicker and more of us get into law and medical school. Going to a women’s college makes us more comfortable and we can be open with one another knowing that most of us have gone through the same exact thing. Some of my peers question why I chose Salem from the various other colleges and universities here in North Carolina. I respond with, “I found my home and my second family as soon as I stepped on campus.” All the other ladies can relate with me. If any woman ever gets the chance to attend a women’s college, I say go for it. You won’t ever have the same opportunities at a co-ed college as you do at a women’s college. I was so lucky to discover and visit Salem. I believe that anyone who hears about any women college, they might be iffy at first but once you step on campus, you have a sense of being home; it’s almost like magic. Each of us empowers and inspires each other by our intelligence, personalities, unique talents, and our background. We all stand united and stand strong. We will always be Salem Sisters. Once a spirit, always a spirit!
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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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