In 2024, the debate on the ethical use of content for training generative AI models has reached a fever pitch, with lawsuits against AI companies becoming a regular occurrence. Amidst this chaos, a new company called Created by Humans, founded by former Scribd CEO Trip Adler, aims to create a marketplace where creators can directly license their intellectual property to large language models (LLMs), thus avoiding legal conflicts.
The startup has already secured $5 million in funding from notable investors like David Sacks, Mike Maples, and best-selling author Walter Isaacson, who also joins as a creative advisor. Initially focusing on authors and book publishers, Created by Humans allows creators to sell specific licensing rights for AI training. The company proposes a set of principles called the Fourth Law, inspired by Isaac Asimov’s three laws of robotics, to ensure creators maintain control over how their content is used and are compensated accordingly.
Adler’s vision includes a comprehensive dashboard for creators to monitor the use and earnings from their licensed content. By providing a structured framework for licensing, Created by Humans seeks to establish new revenue streams for authors and potentially reinvigorate the book industry. Adler envisions that ‘AI revenue’ could become a significant force, surpassing traditional formats like ebooks and audiobooks.
