Berklee College of Music has introduced a new elective course titled 'Bots and Beats: AI and the Future of Songwriting' for the upcoming semester, which focuses on the use of generative AI in music creation. This has sparked significant backlash from students, who argue that the course encourages practices that undermine the essence of music artistry. An online petition opposing the course has attracted over 425 signatures, with students claiming that AI tools like ChatGPT 'steal the art of tens of thousands of artists.' They express concerns that such tools could have devastating effects on the music industry and the environment by producing facsimiles of genuine human art. In response, Berklee stated that as an 'artist-first institution,' it has a responsibility to equip students with the knowledge to navigate technological advancements in the creative fields. The course is taught by musician Ben Camp, who is affiliated with a generative AI music platform, raising further concerns among students about the implications of AI in music production.