This week on Inside Content, I sat down with Dave Davis, Chief Content Officer at Protege, for a deep dive into the rapidly evolving world of content licensing for AI model training. Dave brought a uniquely informed perspective, having spent years in traditional media roles at major studios like NBCUniversal, Paramount, and Fox, before transitioning into the AI space.
Dave and his team work on behalf of over 100 media companies across six continents, helping content owners monetise their libraries in this new frontier while ensuring their rights are respected.
What stood out was how Protege bridges the communication gap between media companies and AI developers. Dave explained, “In the content space, we call it a movie; AI companies call it data.” This difference goes beyond terminology—it impacts contracts, rights, and negotiations. Protege plays a pivotal role in educating both sides and creating mutually beneficial agreements.
We also explored how Protege’s approach combines traditional aggregator models with cutting-edge technology. For instance, their “Shop” platform allows AI companies to license highly specific content segments—like thousands of shots of horses walking or people cooking—which would be impossible without precise metadata tagging.
From a legal and ethical standpoint, Dave was refreshingly candid. He acknowledged the “chaotic” state of the AI licensing market but highlighted how it's stabilising. Licensing not only brings in new revenue but also strengthens copyright law by proving that content can be commercially licensed, a key factor in US fair use determinations.
On content trends, Dave noted that animation is highly sought-after due to scarcity, while horror content often performs poorly due to low light and shaky cameras. Interestingly, demand isn’t just about visuals—transcripts and screenplays are also valuable training materials.
Looking forward, Dave expects demand to shift from sheer volume to curated, high-quality datasets. As he put it, “These models have a pretty ravenous appetite… but curation is where the premium lies.”
This was one of the most enlightening conversations I’ve had on how the media world is not just adapting to AI but actively shaping it. As Dave aptly summarised, “AI is like the boulder in Indiana Jones—it’s coming whether you’re ready or not. So the best thing content owners can do is engage and shape the outcome.”
Key Topics:
· Dave’s transition from traditional media to AI
· How Protege bridges media and AI licensing
· Technical innovations like Protege’s “Shop”platform
· Common concerns of content owners
· What AI companies want in training datasets
· The impact of licensing on copyright law
· Future trends in AI model training content
.svg)
