Tech Features
Technology Gives Content Creators Control Over AI Access and a Path to Monetisation

By: Tony van den Berge, VP, EMEA at Cloudflare
The market for AI-generated music and audiovisual (AV) content is set to skyrocket in the next couple of years, growing from around €3 billion today to €64 billion in 2028. While this may be good news for those dancing to Gen AI’s tune, it’s likely to hit a bum note for content creators.
Despite providing the “creative fuel of the Gen AI content market,” these human creators could be about to see their income drop by around a quarter.
That amounts to a cumulative loss of €22 billion over the next five years – €10 billion in music and €12 billion in audiovisual – according to a new report commissioned by the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC), which represents some five million people in the creative industries.
The report – Study on the economic impact of Generative AI in the Music and Audiovisual industries – is touted as the first-ever global study of its kind to tackle the subject. It warns that unless this situation changes, content creators will be squeezed on two fronts: the loss of revenues because of the unauthorised use of their works by Gen AI models, and the loss of income from people buying AI-generated content.
“For creators of all kinds, from songwriters to film directors, screenwriters to film composers, AI has the power to unlock new and exciting opportunities – but we have to accept that, if badly regulated, generative AI also has the power to cause great damage to human creators, to their careers and livelihoods,” said CISAC President and ABBA frontman Björn Ulvaeus.
“Which of these two scenarios will be the outcome? This will be determined in large part by the choices made by policy makers, in legislative reviews that are going on across the world right now. It’s critical that we get these regulations right, protect creators’ rights and help develop an AI environment that safeguards human creativity and culture,” he said.
Content creators face an existential threat
While there is clearly a role for legislation, technology can also help provide a solution not only to protect content from Gen AI creators, but also to provide an avenue to monetise it.
With so much content online – everything from those who make a living from art and animation to filmmakers and wordsmiths – it’s a problem that extends far beyond the music industry.
In most cases, site owners have had little control over how AI services use their content for training or other purposes. Recently, though, new tools have been developed that make it easier for site owners, creators, and publishers to take back control of their content.
Cloudflare empowers creators with tools to safeguard and monetise their content
At Cloudflare, we are uniquely positioned to address these challenges by leveraging our global network to create innovative solutions. Our recently introduced AI Audit tools empower creators and site owners to regain control over their content in the age of generative AI. These tools allow creators to monitor AI bot activity, identifying which AI services are accessing their content, how often, and what specific material is being targeted. With one-click solutions, creators can block unauthorised AI crawlers, ensuring only approved entities can use their work. Beyond protection, Cloudflare helps them monetise their content by giving them analytics and control over who can scan based on the licensing agreements they sign with model providers.
To understand how these new tools fit into the bigger picture, it’s worth stepping back to see how AI models are accessing digital content in the first place. Bots typically “crawl” the internet looking for material. “Good bots” – such as search engine crawlers – are beneficial because they help people discover sites and drive traffic. “Bad bots,” on the other hand, can pose a security threat.
But the rise of Large Language Models (LLMs) and other generative tools has created a murkier third category. Unlike malicious bots, some of the crawlers associated with Gen AI platforms are simply looking to hoover up content to train new LLMs. And that’s precisely the problem for content creators.
New tools are key in battle to monetise content
That’s why there’s so much interest around the development of these solutions. Not only do they allow content providers to identify who – or what – is scraping their content, they also allow them to block access to particular bots.
The result is two-fold. First, content creators are able to stop scrapers from accessing their intellectual property. Second, it allows content creators to negotiate access deals directly with AI companies. In other words, it gives content creators the chance to be paid for their output.
In a sign that the balance of power may already be shifting in terms of control and ownership, many of those contracts include terms about the frequency of scanning and the type of content that can be accessed.
That said, it’s still early days. There is still some uncertainty about the value of content used this way, and standardization discussions on enforceable mechanisms to express AI crawling preferences are still ongoing. Meanwhile, site owners are at a disadvantage while they play catch-up. But unless – and until – there is a resolution, content creators and site owners will be discouraged from launching or maintaining Internet properties.
The fear is that more and more creators will stash their content behind paywalls, which may solve one problem but could invariably lead to others.
Ultimately, all parties – policymakers, tech companies, and creators – need to come together to enable AI innovation to thrive while safeguarding creativity. For those in the music industry, it’s not just a question of harmony, but of hitting the right notes too.
Tech Features
Sustainable AI Practices Driving Ethical and Green Tech

By Mansour Al Ajmi, CEO of X-Shift

Sustainable AI practices are no longer optional—they are essential for shaping technology that benefits both people and the planet. As artificial intelligence transforms industries from healthcare to transportation, the challenge is to ensure its growth is ethical, environmentally responsible, and socially inclusive. This means addressing not only energy efficiency and carbon reduction but also governance, fairness, and long-term societal impacts.
Why Sustainable AI Practices Go Beyond the Environment?
AI is now deeply embedded in investment strategies, medical diagnostics, media platforms, and public infrastructure. While reducing energy usage is vital, true sustainability also requires ethical governance and the elimination of bias.
For example, biased training datasets can unintentionally reinforce social inequality. Studies, such as those from the MIT Media Lab, have shown that some AI systems perform poorly with diverse populations, highlighting the risk of discrimination. Addressing this means conducting regular algorithmic audits, enforcing transparency, and ensuring diverse representation in AI development teams.
The Environmental Impact of AI
Training advanced AI models consumes enormous computational resources. The process can generate carbon emissions equivalent to hundreds of long-haul flights. To counter this, tech leaders are investing in renewable energy and designing energy-efficient processors and cooling systems.
However, sustainable AI practices should become the default, not the exception. From sourcing materials responsibly to rethinking hardware infrastructure, the focus must be on green innovation by design.
Embedding Sustainability at the Strategic Core
Sustainable AI practices work best when integrated into an organization’s core strategy. Aligning AI solutions with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can directly support climate action, reduce inequalities, and promote responsible consumption.
In the Middle East, initiatives like Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence demonstrate how sustainability and AI can align with national priorities. These strategies not only meet ethical standards but also deliver competitive advantages, building consumer trust and fostering innovation.
Governance for Responsible AI
Strong governance is key to ensuring sustainable AI practices are upheld. Regulatory frameworks, such as the European Union’s AI Act, guide transparency, accountability, and fairness.
Governance should enable innovation while preventing harm. Public-private partnerships, global cooperation, and industry alliances are critical to creating ethical, scalable, and resilient AI ecosystems.
Preparing the Workforce for the AI Era
McKinsey estimates that AI adoption could displace up to 800 million jobs by 2030. Sustainable AI practices must include reskilling and upskilling initiatives to ensure inclusive economic growth.
By investing in training programs, organizations can help employees transition to new roles in AI-related fields. This proactive approach strengthens workforce agility and supports long-term resilience.
Leadership’s Role in Driving Sustainable AI Practices
AI can significantly advance sustainability goals, from optimizing supply chains to reducing environmental waste. Companies like Unilever are already using AI to achieve greener operations, proving its real-world potential.
Yet leadership commitment is essential. Executives must set measurable goals, model ethical behavior, and integrate sustainability into company culture. This ensures that sustainability is not a side project but a core business value.
The Shared Responsibility for a Sustainable AI Future
Creating a sustainable AI future requires collaboration between individuals, corporations, and governments. Citizens should stay informed and question how AI affects them. Companies must embed sustainability into their AI strategies, while governments need to establish policies that encourage responsible innovation.
By acting now, we can ensure AI evolves as a force for good—advancing technology without sacrificing ethics, equity, or environmental stewardship.
Check out our previous post on WHX Tech 2025 to Drive Global Digital Health Transformation
Tech Features
Epicor CMO Kerrie Jordan to Drive Global Marketing Growth


Epicor CMO Kerrie Jordan has been appointed to lead the company’s global marketing strategy. This move marks a pivotal moment in the enterprise software leader’s expansion. Epicor, known for its industry-specific solutions for the make, move, and sell economy, announced the news on August 12, 2025, in Dubai.
Jordan brings a rare combination of senior product innovation and strategic marketing expertise. She will strengthen the Epicor brand, expand market reach, and deepen customer engagement worldwide.
Epicor CMO Kerrie Jordan Brings Product and Market Expertise Together
Vaibhav Vohra, Epicor President and Chief Product & Technology Officer, eVaibhav Vohra, Epicor President and Chief Product & Technology Officer, emphasized the importance of the appointment.
“Kerrie’s ability to connect product strategy with market execution makes her an ideal fit. Her leadership has already shaped our Cognitive ERP vision, and we’re excited to see her bring that same energy and insight to our marketing efforts.”
Since joining Epicor in 2023 as Group Vice President of Product Management and ISV Partner Programs, Jordan has advanced the company’s Cognitive ERP roadmap. This AI-driven approach turns ERP from a system of record into a system of action and insight, empowering supply chain businesses to operate smarter and faster.
A Vision for Accelerated Innovation and Growth
In her new role, Jordan will unite product innovation, analytics, and go-to-market strategies to accelerate customer time-to-value. She will also foster innovation and support Epicor’s global expansion.
“I’m honored to expand my role at Epicor,” Jordan said. “Epicor is at the forefront of enabling essential businesses to thrive through AI-driven, connected technologies. I look forward to amplifying our impact, building stronger relationships with customers and partners, and driving growth across global markets.”
A Career Built on Technology Leadership
Before joining Epicor, Jordan served in senior product marketing positions at Oracle. She developed strategies for enterprise software solutions and helped drive adoption. Earlier in her career, she led strategic marketing programs for technology clients during her consulting roles at global marketing firms.
Jordan is a recognized voice in cloud ERP, digital transformation, and supply chain innovation. She hosts Epicor’s “Manufacturing the Future” podcast, which features industry leaders discussing trends shaping manufacturing and supply chain sectors. She is also a Forbes Tech Council contributor. Jordan holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Santa Clara University in California.
Epicor’s Commitment to Industry-Focused Growth
Epicor has served customers across automotive, building supply, distribution, manufacturing, and retail for more than 50 years. The company’s solutions are tailored to industry needs and adaptable to fast-changing market conditions.
Check out our previous post on WHX Tech 2025 to Drive Global Digital Health Transformation
Tech Features
In-Hand Comfort Meets Elegant Design – A UI You’ll Love and Performance You Can Count On– Meet Oppo’s Reno 14 Series!

Reviewed By Srijith KN
Device Reno 14F 5G
In today’s crowded smartphone market, very few devices make a lasting impression from the first hold. The Oppo Reno 14 Series does exactly that. Its rounded front design, sharp edges, and striking Iridescent Mermaid finish give it a premium look that stands out. At just 7.42 mm thick and 187 g, with aluminium-framed edges, it feels light yet sturdy in the hand.
The 6.57-inch LTPS OLED display offers a 120 Hz Full HD+ experience with HDR10+ support and a peak brightness of 1,200 nits. While the brightness could be slightly higher, the rich colour tones make it ideal for streaming and gaming. The high refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and responsive visuals.
Display & Performance in the Oppo Reno 14
Powered by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 mobile platform, paired with 12 GB of RAM and 512 GB of UFS 3.1 storage, the Oppo Reno 14 Series delivers fluid performance. Everyday tasks, multitasking, and gaming feel effortless. Even after a month of use, there’s no lag, and the phone remains cool under pressure.
The signal reception is equally reliable, performing well even in remote mountain regions. For gamers, the combination of smooth frame rates and strong connectivity makes it a dependable choice.
Camera Setup Built for Creativity
The Oppo Reno 14 Series brings a 32 MP front camera and a triple rear camera system (50 MP + 8 MP + 2 MP). It supports 4K 60 fps HDR video recording, delivering sharp and vibrant footage. Oppo’s image processing handles lighting well, although the AI can occasionally produce slightly artificial tones. When it dials back the processing, the results are impressively natural.
Selfies from the front camera are detailed, making it a strong option for content creators. AI-powered tools such as AI Eraser, AI Reflection Remover, AI Unblur, AI Recompose, and AI Perfect Shot add versatility. Beyond photography, features like real-time translation and cloud-based voice transcription offer extra value.
Battery Life & Charging Speed on the Oppo Reno 14
Battery performance is one of the standout features. The massive 6,000 mAh battery easily lasts over a day of heavy use. Paired with 80 W fast charging, it goes from 0% to 100% in just 40–50 minutes, reducing downtime significantly.
Software and User Experience
Running on ColorOS 15, the interface is polished and responsive. The design is intuitive, though it comes with pre-installed apps that many users may want to remove for a cleaner setup. The combination of IP69 water and dust resistance, strong haptics, and a promised five years of major updates enhances its long-term value.
Verdict: A Strong Contender in Its Price Range
The Oppo Reno 14 Series blends premium design, solid performance, long battery life, and camera versatility into a package that offers excellent value. Whether for everyday use, creative projects, or gaming, it meets a wide range of needs without compromise.
For readers who enjoyed this review, check out our previous feature on Sustainable Tech: How Globant Shapes a Greener Tomorrow to see how innovation is shaping the tech industry.
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