WEALTH October 14, 2026 0 Comments

Why Music Industry Titans and News Giants Are Demanding AI Laws That Could Change the Game Forever

Ever wonder how we keep the magic of human creativity from getting lost in the shuffle of ones and zeroes swirling around in our AI-driven world? That’s exactly the question buzzing in the air today as the Irish Recorded Music Association (IRMA) and NewsBrands Ireland join forces to host a pivotal conference on Copyright & Human Creativity in the Age of AI. Timed perfectly with the International AI Summit and spotlighted during Ireland’s EU presidency, this gathering at the IFI in Temple Bar isn’t just another tech talk—it’s a front-row seat to conversations that matter, featuring heavyweight speakers from policymakers to music moguls, all riffing on how to safeguard the sparks of originality that make our creative industries tick. With the digital revolution speeding ahead like a runaway train, creating a fair playing field for licensing, enforcement, and trust in AI use has never been more crucial. So, grab your metaphorical ticket and dive into the debate shaping the future of creativity, copyright, and innovation—all happening right here, right now. LEARN MORE

The Irish Recorded Music Association (IRMA) and NewsBrands Ireland will today co-host a major conference on Copyright & Human Creativity in the Age of AI as part of Ireland’s EU presidency.

Coinciding with the International AI Summit, the conference will hear from speakers striving to ensure that human creativity remains valued and protected amid rapid technological change.

The conference will bring together a diverse range of international speakers, including policymakers, legal experts, rights holders, creators and representatives from across the creative industries.

Speakers at the event, which takes place at the IFI in Temple Bar, will explore the challenges and opportunities presented by AI for copyright and human creativity.

Keynote speakers include Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke; Henna Virkkunen, European Commission Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security & Democracy; and Professor Eleonora Rosati, one of Europe’s leading experts on copyright and IP law.

The conference will be hosted by Daniel McConnell, editor of the Business Post.

The event will explore key questions at the heart of the copyright and AI debate, including how we can build trust around the use of AI; develop a fair and robust market for licensing copyrighted works; and ensure that copyright protections can be effectively enforced.

Panels will examine the implications of AI for affected sectors and consider how to support innovation while properly recognising and rewarding creative work.

“As a major hub for technological enterprises, Ireland is keen to embrace innovation, including the AI revolution. However, as a government, we have a responsibility to respect and protect our creative sectors, whether that be music, journalism, literature, film or the many other cultural pursuits for which Ireland is famous,” said Burke.

“This is why regulations around copyright and intellectual property are so crucial to maintaining the health of the creative economy.

“I would like to thank NewsBrands Ireland and the Irish Recorded Music Association for organising this conference as part of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU.

“The conference comes at an important time as we consider how best to address these challenges at EU level, including potentially through new measures to facilitate licensing of copyrighted content and assist rights holders to enforce their rights.”

David Kitching, head of public affairs and communications at IRMA, said: “Irish music is a global success story, with real social, cultural and economic value. We see during the EU Presidency how readily we turn to music and our cultural heritage to showcase Ireland on the international stage.

“In the age of AI, there is an onus on us to protect this culture, through full and robust enforcement of our copyright laws. AI must operate within a framework that respects the law and values human creativity.

“IRMA is proud to collaborate with NewsBrands Ireland in facilitating such a constructive and ambitious discussion.”

Ann-Marie Lenihan, CEO of NewsBrands Ireland, said: “Supporting innovation should not come at the expense of intellectual property rights. News publishers invest significantly in trusted, high-quality journalism that informs the public and supports a healthy democracy.

Music — Ann-Marie Lenihan. (Pic: Fennell Photography)

“A fair and transparent licensing market can ensure that journalism and other creative content is properly valued and compensated for, while enabling continued innovation in AI.

“At a time when mis- and disinformation can spread rapidly across digital platforms and through AI-generated content, protecting the visibility and viability of trusted journalism has never been more important.”

(Pic: Getty Images)