When I started out as an amateur saxophone player in 2015, I did not know that I was building my life up to a new chapter of creativity. In 2019, after years of practice I became recognized as Rwanda’s first and only female saxophonist.

As a woman who shattered the glass ceiling in this field, I felt a sense of responsibili¬¬ty to continuously enhance the quality and reputation of my music. Despite gaining popularity, one undeniable fact remained apparent – the compensation for artists in the industry did not align with the substantial time, effort, and passion invested in the creative process.

Now I, and other creatives, face a new and unexpected threat--that of being overshadowed by generative Artificial intelligence (AI). It is the hottest new technology trend—a wild west of controversy, convenience, and automated creativity.

AI allows for the near-instant generation of images, texts, and even music. This exponentially raises the risks of content regeneration, counterfeiting and plagiarism.

The process is so simple, it is almost dystopian. Generative AI works through prompting an automated entity, such as ChatGPT, to create content using only a phrase, technically referred to as a prompt. In other AI programs, creating a new picture masterpiece is now as simple as typing "humans in space future staring at shifting planets in the distance,” and the AI will generate an image.

The technology has become so good, it won the recent 2023 World Photography Awards with a fake photo. While the prize winner honorably turned down the prize, it stirred up debates as to what is real and what is not.

It is difficult to create while hungry, yet creatives already face tough economic times, stretching themselves to live within their limited means. Today, the threat is no longer about skill development, creating and successfully signing contracts, but rather the unusual competition from AI that not only challenges artists’ means of survival but could also break their creative spirit.

Tomer Hanuka, an award-winning novelist and illustrator, was devastated upon learning that an unknown source was using his identity to re-create and sell his work online by copying his creative style. Tomer is the author and illustrator for Bipolar, 1-#5 and Placebo Man. While searching for his work online, he was shocked to find hundreds of AI-generated images being sold online without having credited or compensated him.

It is true that AI can in some instances make work easier, faster, and more efficient. In the film industry, for instance, AI is able to generate content that crops film actors out of one scene, say a desert, into a coastal setting within seconds.

However, its use poses a risk on killing authenticity, especially in the written content as the distinction between human voices and machines becomes blurred.

What needs to be done

Change is inevitable and generative AI is here to stay. Based on how they affect society, technology shifts have always resulted in corresponding economic shifts. However, these shifts need to protect the value of creativity.

Firstly, consent is key. Anyone planning to use AI to reproduce published work should first obtain legal permission from the artist. This will both protect the creatives and help restore their confidence.

In addition, a new formula for sharing revenues with the artists should be set up. This may involve setting aside revenue earned by AI platforms and sharing it with the artists whose original work is being used. The distribution could be based on factors such as the extent of AI utilization, the popularity of the AI-generated creations, and the significance of the original artwork.

Thirdly, restrictions must be placed on AI’s access to data. AI can only generate "new" works using existing art that it scrapes from the web- thousands of songs, images, or texts. It then "creates” the new content from this database.

Restrictions on access to data would therefore play a vital role in reducing plagiarism and illegal copying of online art. Strong copyright mechanisms must be put in place for protecting the rights of the artists, and all parties involved in programming AI models must be held accountable for abiding by these rights.

I have recently discovered a passion for writing, and in its pursuit I have published pieces in the lifestyle column of The NewTimes, and opened a blog to feed my writing crave. I envision continuing to build my skill and expand my reach. Yet, I fear my best efforts may be unended by AI.

Through the implementation of a new revenue sharing model, restrictions on data, obtaining permissions, and increased awareness, the creative industry can navigate the challenges of AI-generated art while safeguarding artists' rights and the value for their creativity. Balancing technological advancements with ethical practices will foster a sustainable and supportive environment for artists in the age of generative AI.

Then, I, and other artists, would gain more confidence in the security of our creations, lifting the creative spirit.

Stella Tushabe is Rwanda’s first female saxophone player, a creative writer, and a new mom. She brings her communications expertise to the United Nations Development Program, Rwanda.