- My Major. Not many colleges in South Carolina have my major. That was a huge decision factor for the college of my choice. There wasn’t a college near my home, so I pretty much had to move. Although, I did consider going to a college closer to my home for two years, then transferring.
- The Freedom. With moving out comes freedom -- lots of it. I knew that if I stayed home, I’d probably still be treated like I was in high school. Moving out means I get to decide when to eat, when to wash my clothes (probably not until I only have one outfit left), how late to stay out, how early to wake up, if I should skip class or not, etc. It’s the big responsibilities, so it was overwhelming to decide, but I knew I could handle it. It sure beats staying home and having a curfew and being yelled at when it’s not met.
- New Places, New Faces. I’m one of those people who loves adventure and exploring new places. So, moving away seemed like a great idea. I’d have a whole new town to explore and learn. A new place means new faces, too. I’m shy at first, so new faces seemed a bit scary. If I went to college near home, I’d know the majority of everyone, but moving away I would know nobody. New friends are a part of growing up, though, so I’m enjoying meeting new people no matter how scary it seems.
- It’s Not a Permanent Goodbye. Even though I moved away, it doesn’t mean that I can’t go home. I can go home on the weekends if I want, and I’ll come home on holidays. I didn’t say goodbye for four years, I said goodbye for a few weeks. Then, I’ll come home, see everyone, and say goodbye for a few more weeks. It’s kind of like the best of both worlds.
- I Can Start Over. Nobody knows me up here, so I can start fresh. In high school and my hometown, everyone already perceived me as something. As the volleyball player, as the yearbook editor, as the quiet girl, as the coach’s favorite, as the smart one, as the dumb one, however they saw me. Now, there’s not that preconceived notion. I can be who I want and that’s how people will see me.
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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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