ZDNETI don't mean to be dramaticButtttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt AI video and image generators like Sora, Runway, and Midjourney have a huge problem that could be a fatal flaw. AI-powered image and video generators turn text into visuals with what feels like digital wizardry. You type in a prompt, the algorithm processes it, and a fully rendered image or video appears within seconds. Also: 3 lucrative side hustles you can start right now with OpenAI's Sora video generatorIt sounds like the creative utopia we were promised, but is it?This "utopia" has a dark side you wouldn't believe; one could argue it's actually radioactive.And I don't know about you, but I prefer my radios not active(Ba dum tss).In this article, I'm going to share with you:What text-to-video is and why it mattersWhat this fatal flaw is and how we got hereMy genius idea to fix the industrySo grab a coffee and kick up your feet. We are about to jump off the top rope with this hot take. Quick introIf you're new to my work, my name is Lester, but feel free to call me Les I'm a founder with a successful exit under my belt. These days, I'm the exec chair for a group of e-commerce brands, but at my core, I'm an award-winning performance marketer. Data and insights are my expertise, and my experience as a business professional and creator gives me a unique perspective on the critical flaws plaguing the AI image and video generation industry. If you're into data-driven business and marketing insights and strategies, check out my free newsletter, No Fluff Just Facts. I share what's working in the world of business, along with marketing insights and trends I'm seeing. But that's enough about me. I must bring you up to speed on what's happening with the AI text and video generation industry. AI text and video generation?Let's first break down what AI text and video generation is and how it works. Here is the oversimplified version: An AI model learns to generate images by first taking existing images and gradually adding noise, making them look like static on a TV.It then trains by reversing that process, learning how to remove noise step by step until it can reconstruct an image from pure randomness. Text-to-video models explained via Google Research YouTubeWhile learning, the model is given captions that describe each image, like "a cat playing," helping it associate text with visual patterns. Once trained, if you type new words like "a red car," the model starts with a noisy image and refines it into something that matches the description. Text-to-video models explained via Google Research YouTubeThe same process happens for videos but involves creating a series of images while ensuring smooth transitions between frames. The model cleans up noise and learns to maintain motion consistency so that objects don't randomly change shape or position between frames. Text-to-video models explained via Google Research YouTubeLike I said, this is the oversimplified version. The "what" these models do is simple; the "how" they do it is incredibly complex. This technology is powerful but raises important questions about how it's trained and who benefits from its creations. The big problem with AI text and video generatorsSo, what's the big problem? AI models train on existing content, but whether that constitutes fair use or something more problematic is still up for debate."Training" happens on the backs of creators who, in most cases, weren't asked for consent or given compensation. When you hear that these AI tools are "creating," that's somewhat misleading. One could argue they are compiling, not creating. Because the content was never given to the AI for training, it opens a can of worms for copyright claims and questions about who owns the intellectual property. Here's where it gets tricky: Our legal systems haven't caught up yet, so corporations are highly cautious about using AI-generated images and video.At ZDNET, we can't use AI to create content or AI images #jobsecurity. Besides, ChatGPT could never be as funny as me, pffft, but I digress. On Feb.11, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware ruled in favor of Thomson Reuters in the case of Thomson Reuters Enterprise Centre GmbH v. Ross Intelligence Inc. The court found that Ross Intelligence's use of copyrighted material to train its AI system was not fair use.This landmark decision carries significant implications for AI copyright cases. Like I said, RADIO!!! ACTIVE!!! My big idea to save the AI industryNow that you are all caught up, let me tell you about my genius idea. What if... hear me out: what if we made Spotify but for AI text and video? Let's call it a cool name like AI-text-ify. AItextify would operate similarly to Spotify, where a creator (let's call him John) uploads original work to train the AI models. When a user purchases AI-generated content that uses John's work to create the final output, John will be compensated for his work, similar to how artists get paid for streams on Spotify. Also:3 big opportunities you shouldn't ignore in 2025 - and whyAItextify stands out by ensuring creators receive ongoing payments whenever their work is used, rather than a one-time fee for training. This guarantees continuous income as their content helps refine and improve the models.AItextify is groundbreaking because it uses blockchain technology to guarantee transparent tracking and fair compensation for creators. Every time its AI models use a creator's work, they get paid instantly and securely. This business model draws top-tier creators by offering fair compensation and elevates AItextify as best in class. AItextify also includes a suite of AI-assisted tools to help creators refine their ideas and generate new content based on trends and user preferences. This allows users to collaborate with AI to create unique stories, videos, or art that resonates with audiences worldwide. To make it even more accessible, AItextify will partner with leading educational institutions to offer courses on AI content creation. This way, creators from all backgrounds can learn to leverage AItextify's tools to produce high-quality content. But why stop there? Also:15 surprising ways I used AI to save me weeks of work in 2024AItextify can patrol the internet for copyright infringements on John's behalf. This protects creators' rights and ensures corporate clients can use AItextify without worrying about legal issues. This is crucial for professional users who need reliable and legally sound outputs. Slap a .AI domain on it, and unicorn status is almost guaranteed. (As I write this, I'm trying to decide what color Lambo to get.) AItextify would be a win-win-win: creators receive their fair share of the revenue, users enjoy unparalleled AI-generated content, and corporate clients can use this content without constantly looking over their shoulders and worrying about potential lawsuits. My two centsI think we just saved the AI industry. Who knew that simply paying creators fairly could be a revolutionary business model?Could this work? Of course, it could; this is a brilliant idea! But if I must be critical, here's what could go wrong, aside from everything...I know similar ideas exist, but my concern is that these platforms treat creators as an afterthought rather than an integral part of the project. Industry leaders need to prioritize valuing creators. Doing what is right should not be up for debate. As AI continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how things unfold.If the Thomson Reuters case is any indication, we may be moving toward a fairer system for all parties involved. If you decide to bring AItextify to life, you will need a CMO. I volunteer as tribute. Hope this helps; I'm rooting for you. BTW, if you're into data-driven business and marketing insights, you should sign up for my free newsletter, No Fluff Just Facts. I share what's working, the latest trends, revenue-scaling strategies, and actionable tips. Plus, you'll get the occasional pep talk to keep you inspired. If this sounds like your jam, click here to sign up, it's totally FREE!Oh, I think I will go with green for the Lambo with the license plate "LAMBO-IFY" Featured