In a riveting discussion, Carletta Higginson, EVP and Chief Digital Officer at Warner Music Group, teams up with Tatiana Cirisano from MIDiA Research to explore AI's transformative impact on the music industry. They dive into how innovation is reshaping rights management and highlighting the tug-of-war between startups and established norms. Higginson shares insights from her diverse career, emphasizing the need for robust frameworks that balance artist protection with technological advancement while enhancing collaboration and creativity in music.
The tension between permission and forgiveness in the music industry highlights the challenge of balancing innovation with rights protection.
Carlita Higginson emphasizes the need for strategic approaches in monetizing AI opportunities while ensuring fair compensation for artists and rights holders.
Deep dives
Tension Between Innovation and Rights
The ongoing tension between permission and forgiveness in the music industry highlights the challenges that startup founders and rights holders face in pursuing innovation. Founders often seek to push boundaries and create new developments, while rights holders are concerned about fair compensation and long-term partnerships. This dynamic fosters a complex ecosystem where both sides must navigate their interests, creating a need for better alignment. Exploring this balance is essential for encouraging collaboration and growth in a rapidly changing landscape.
AI's Role and Revenue Optimization
In her role at Warner Music Group, Carlita Higginson emphasizes the importance of driving revenue while adapting to evolving business models amid the rise of AI. She discusses the need for a strategic approach focusing on optimizing existing deals and exploring new opportunities that AI technology presents. By engaging with digital service providers, she aims to ensure that both the artists and rights holders benefit from monetization strategies tied to AI advancements. This proactive stance is essential in navigating the complexities of the digital music space and ensuring the sustainability of revenue streams.
Innovation Amidst Legal Frameworks
The conversation around AI and innovation in the music industry underscores the necessity for a robust legal framework to protect artists and rights holders. Higginson references past disruptions, like the Napster era, as pivotal moments that shaped the current landscape and highlights the importance of litigation and regulatory efforts in establishing equitable practices. Projects like AI-generated music for artists who lost their voices demonstrate the potential for technology to enhance creativity while respecting rights and control. Ensuring that artists have the power to opt in or out of such innovations is crucial for balancing progress with protection.
Here’s another great fireside chat from our Trapital Summit. Listen to Warner Music Group’s chief digital officer Carletta Higginson and MIDiA Research’s Tatiana Cirisano discuss AI’s impact on music, and the ongoing tug-of-war for startup founders asking for permission vs forgivenes.
Higginson has seen it from all sides of the table; as an attorney, at YouTube, and now at a major label and rights holder.
Enjoy!This episode was brought to you by Too Lost, the all-in-one technology solution for musicians and record labels. Learn more here.
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