As artificial intelligence (AI) increasingly influences music creation, educators must prepare future teachers to critically assess its artistic and pedagogical implications. This action research study examined how undergraduate music education majors perceive and identify AI-generated versus human-produced songs. Forty-three (43) students enrolled in music education courses at a regional university in the United States participated in a blind listening activity involving four recordings of the same lyrics: a live studio recording with professional musicians and vocalists; a digital version using Logic Pro virtual instruments with live vocals; and two AI-generated versions created using Suno and Udio platforms. Following the listening activity, participants completed a structured questionnaire evaluating each version in terms of musical quality, authenticity, and emotional impact, and attempted to identify the production source. In addition to the survey, students participated in a guided asynchronous discussion board to reflect on their experience and explore the role of AI in music education. Quantitative results indicated that all participants (100%) correctly identified the live studio version, underscoring the enduring power of live performance. However, only 43% recognized the Logic Pro version as human-made, suggesting a perceptual bias toward acoustic performance. Most participants were unable to distinguish between the AI-generated tracks from Suno and Udio, highlighting the increasing realism of generative AI. While many students expressed admiration for the quality and efficiency of AI-generated compositions, at the same time they consistently emphasized the irreplaceable emotional and expressive depth of music performed by real musicians. Findings underscore the importance of critical listening, AI literacy, and ethical reflection in music teacher preparation. This study offers valuable insight into how future educators perceive authenticity in music, and how they might integrate AI tools without sacrificing the human element that lies at the heart of musical expression.