The Startup Fighting to Protect Creators from AI Exploitation

Richard Foster-FletcherSeptember 24, 2024

AI’s ability to generate art, music, and literature using copyrighted material without permission is a growing concern for creators worldwide. As artificial intelligence rapidly disrupts creative industries, the protection of intellectual property (IP) faces unprecedented challenges.

Rising to meet this challenge, the startup ‘Story’ is championing a bold initiative to protect creators’ rights and preserve the value of human ingenuity against AI’s expansive reach.

The Growing Threat of AI to Intellectual Property

Generative AI models, such as those developed by OpenAI, require vast amounts of data to function effectively. This data often includes copyrighted material, which is used without consent or compensation to train AI systems. These practices raise significant ethical and legal questions, as they risk undermining the very foundation of intellectual property rights. When AI systems can replicate or even surpass human creativity using this data, the incentive for original creators to continue their work is severely diminished.

Creativity thrives on the potential for reward—whether that reward is financial, reputational, or the satisfaction of creating something unique. However, when AI-generated content becomes the norm, human creativity risks being devalued. The danger lies in shifting the creative process from one of innovation to one of replication, potentially leading to a stagnation in artistic and creative progress. Without strong incentives to create new work, there is a real risk that the cultural and artistic landscape will be dominated by recycled ideas rather than fresh, groundbreaking concepts.

This concern is not just theoretical. If creators perceive that their work can be easily copied or outdone by AI without any form of recompense, they may lose the motivation to innovate. Over time, this could lead to a decline in the production of original works and a greater reliance on AI-generated content, which, by its nature, is derivative of existing material. To prevent this stagnation, it is crucial to maintain and strengthen the incentives for human creativity.

Story: A Solution to Protect Creatives

Amid this challenging landscape, Story, a San Francisco-based startup, has emerged as a champion for creatives. Founded in 2022 and now valued at $2.25 billion after a recent $80 million funding round led by Andreessen Horowitz, Story is leveraging advanced technology to protect intellectual property from AI exploitation.

Story’s platform allows creators to secure their IP by storing it in a manner that provides an immutable record of ownership. This feature is crucial in an age where the line between human and AI-generated content is increasingly blurred. By embedding licensing fees and royalty-sharing arrangements into their platform, Story enables creators to automate the enforcement of their IP rights. These digital contracts ensure that creators are compensated fairly for the use of their work, maintaining the integrity of their creative contributions (CoinTrust).

What sets Story apart is its focus on cutting out intermediaries, such as lawyers and agents, who traditionally play a role in resolving copyright disputes. Story’s platform simplifies the process by allowing creators to set the terms for how their content can be used directly within their system. This not only reduces the time and cost associated with protecting IP but also ensures that creators maintain control over their work in a more transparent and efficient manner.

Tackling AI Copyright Theft

Story is actively addressing the pressing issue of AI-driven copyright theft. Generative AI models, like those powering popular AI tools and chatbots, require large datasets for training. These datasets often include copyrighted material, which is used without proper authorisation, exacerbating the problem of IP theft. Story’s platform offers a solution by providing a secure and transparent method for tracking and compensating creators whose work is used to train these AI models.

SY Lee, CEO of Story, has emphasised the long-term risks to AI companies if they continue to use copyrighted material without proper compensation. Lee argues that “great IP is essential for sustainable growth in AI” and that without quality, human-created data, AI models will struggle to improve and evolve. By ensuring that creators are compensated for their contributions, Story is not only protecting individual rights but also fostering a more sustainable and ethical AI ecosystem.

The Broader Impact of Story’s Approach

Story’s approach to IP protection could have far-reaching implications beyond the creative industries. By providing a transparent and secure record of ownership, Story helps resolve disputes over intellectual property more effectively than traditional methods. This is particularly important in sectors like media, entertainment, fashion, and even technology, where the integrity of IP is crucial to business success (TechDemand) (Beyond the Hype).

However, the adoption of Story’s approach is not without its challenges. Issues such as scalability, legal recognition, and user education must be addressed for their solution to become mainstream. The success of Story and similar platforms will depend on their ability to overcome these obstacles and demonstrate the tangible benefits of their approach to a broader audience (Beyond the Hype).

Story’s innovative use of blockchain technology offers a promising solution to the challenges posed by AI, providing creators with the tools they need to protect their work in a digital age. By automating IP enforcement and reducing reliance on intermediaries, Story is empowering creators to maintain control over their intellectual property and ensure they are fairly compensated. However, for this technology to reach its full potential, it must gain wider acceptance and integration into existing legal frameworks. The future of creativity may well depend on how effectively we can harness blockchain to protect the rights of those who fuel innovation.

### Key Questions

How can legal systems be updated to support the widespread use of blockchain in IP management?
What strategies can be implemented to overcome the scalability and adoption challenges of blockchain technology?
How can startups like Story ensure that their solutions are accessible and beneficial to all creators, not just those with significant resources?

Written by

Richard Foster-Fletcher

Richard stands at the forefront of ethical artificial intelligence as an AI Advisor, Author, Speaker, and LinkedIn Top Voice. He is the visionary behind MKAI.org (Morality and Knowledge in Artificial Intelligence), an initiative dedicated to fostering AI’s responsible development and application. Through his stewardship of the Boundless Podcast, Richard delves into discussions about AI inclusivity and digital ethics, contributing to a more equitable technological future. His profound insights have illuminated lecture halls at globally renowned institutions, including the London School of Economics (LSE), University College London (UCL), Oxford University, and Imperial College London, guiding the next generation of tech leaders.

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The physicist John Wheeler once remarked, “We shape the world by the questions we ask.” If that’s so, then Richard is shaping the world. I had the pleasure of joining him as a guest on his podcast and was *profoundly* impressed with the depth, generosity and thoughtfulness of his questions. He’s a star!

Andrew Zolli, Chief Impact Officer at Planet

Richard’s keynote at our recent EMEA Conference was both enlightening and engaging. His presentation, “AI in Action – Balancing Innovation and Integrity in Decision-Making” adeptly addressed the complex interplay of AI innovation and ethics, enhancing our understanding of these critical issues. Richard combined humour and humility to make the intricate topics of bias and the future of work approachable, while his interactive style enriched our session. We are grateful for his significant contribution to the conference and for advancing the conversation on ethical AI.

Megan Hendricks, Executive Director, MBA Career Services & Employee Alliance

Richard delivered a truly engaging and thought-provoking session at our Director As Strategic Leader programme. His insights into the opportunities and challenges of AI were both enlightening and inspiring. Richard highlighted the need to channel AI advancements into creating new roles and fostering grassroots innovation, emphasising the importance of responsible AI development. His ability to articulate complex concepts in an accessible manner made the session highly impactful. Richard’s emphasis on transparency, accountability, and aligning AI with human values resonated deeply with our participants. We were delighted to have him speak and look forward to future collaborations.

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Richard provided an excellent platform for our discussion, skillfully getting to the heart of the matter and allowing me to share my views effectively. His thoughtful questions, combined with a warm and engaging manner, made for a truly insightful conversation. I appreciated his genuine interest and the respectful way he facilitated our discussion.

Sir Anthony Seldon, Author, Historian and Educator

Richard Foster-Fletcher delivered a truly engaging and thought-provoking keynote at the AI Tomorrow Summit 2024 in Türkiye. His insights into the transformative potential of AI for Türkiye’s economy were both enlightening and impactful. Richard’s emphasis on the pivotal role of generative AI for SMEs, the importance of upskilling, and ethical considerations in AI development resonated deeply with our audience. His ability to articulate complex concepts with clarity and relevance made the session highly valuable. AIPA were thrilled to have Richard speak and look forward to future collaborations.

Ulas Malli, Board Member, AIPA

Richard delivered an insightful and thought-provoking talk on the expansive implications of artificial intelligence on society, the future of work, and ethical considerations. His ability to articulate complex concepts in an accessible manner prompted a dynamic and engaging discussion among attendees. Richard’s presentation not only highlighted the potential risks and rewards of AI adoption but also encouraged a deeper understanding of its impact. The session was very well-received, sparking meaningful dialogue and a multitude of questions from an engaged audience. We are appreciative of Richard’s contribution to our event and his role in advancing the conversation around AI. His expertise and passion for the subject matter were evident and greatly appreciated by all participants.

Andy Murray, Executive Director at Major Projects Association

Richard has the unique ability to bring out the best in a person. He has three rare qualities to achieve that: incredible empathy, a deep cultural background, and an open mind second to none! I’ve been interviewed all my life on national television, radio, newspapers, conferences, and podcasts. Richard tops them all! He pierces right through the surface with his eagle vision into the core of how we perceive life. My mind sees connections everywhere and in everything. Richard sees that in everybody. Do not miss a chance to sit down and talk with Richard! You will probably learn incredible things about yourself, your work, and the world! Talking with Richard will take you to the next level.

Denis Rothman, AI Expert & Ethicist | Author & Speaker

Richard Foster-Fletcher is an asset to humanity. He brings intelligence and heart to our ever-changing future. He’s a team player who cares about people and their important role on the planet as stewards for future generations. He is a great communicator and thinks outside of the box when creating solutions to difficult problems. Richard also sees the value in healthy partnerships when expanding new ideas. It’s an honor to work with Richard.

Laura Cox, Executive Producer

I thoroughly enjoyed my recent conversation with Richard Foster-Fletcher. His thoughtful approach to the important intersections of AI, ethics, and education allowed us to explore critical issues in a way that was both engaging and insightful. Richard brings a unique perspective to these discussions, and I appreciated the depth and clarity with which he led our conversation.

Dan Ariely, Professor of psychology and behavioral economics at Duke University

Richard is a thorough professional who takes his work seriously, is knowledgeable and possibly the best at spreading the word about AI. Richard’s probing questions about this subject, make you think. He gets the best out of you!

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