top of page

What if generative AI were to pay royalties?

Writer's picture: marianacantinimarianacantini

This isn’t just about technology; it’s about recognition. It’s about looking at every artist who gave a part of themselves to create something meaningful and saying: Your work matters, and it always will. The sparks of inspiration fueling generative music should never be disconnected from the hands that first struck the match. Creation deserves to be remembered, not consumed and forgotten.


Imagine a world where generative music software credits and pays royalties to the songs and artists that shaped its knowledge. It wouldn’t just change how we think about AI in music but how we value music itself.


Honoring Creators

By crediting the artists whose work contributes to generative AI, we’d acknowledge the depth and effort behind every song in its data. None of this would exist without the humans who created it first, and a system like this would ensure their contributions are never overlooked.


Building a Fairer Music Industry

Royalties would give artists a share of the value their work continues to create, even when reimagined by AI. This isn’t charity—it’s survival. It’s a way to ensure that the people who shape culture can keep creating instead of being sidelined by the very tools their art makes possible.


Inspiring Collaboration

When artists know they’ll be respected and compensated, they’re more likely to embrace these technologies. This would lead to richer, more diverse AI-generated music, grounded in genuine creativity. It’s a future where human artistry and AI innovation strengthen each other.


Facing Challenges Head-On

Implementing this system wouldn’t be simple. We’d need tools to track the origins of music and attribute it accurately. Technologies like blockchain or advanced metadata systems could help ensure every creator gets their fair share.


Redefining Copyright for the Future

This approach could also reshape copyright, protecting artists while allowing innovation to thrive. It’s a way to prove that progress doesn’t have to erase the past—it can build on it, preserving its legacy.


A Future of Respect and Partnership

This isn’t just about royalties or regulations; it’s about respect. It’s about ensuring that real music, made by real people, matters in an age of machines. It’s about creating a future where innovation and artistry aren’t enemies but partners, building something greater together.

Comments


Wanna know more?

Let’s connect

bottom of page