Artificial intelligence stands to forever change the way entertainment is produced. Machine learning tools are composing music, large language models are writing screenplays, and major studios are even exploring AI-generated actors.
But as a fairly new innovation, it’s highly unregulated, introducing risks such as exploiting artists’ work, invading users’ privacy, and baking algorithmic bias into entertainment platforms.
For Jumai Fabuyi, co-founder of The Scar Radio and a data privacy and AI governance enthusiast, tackling these challenges means pushing for stronger regulations, using privacy-conscious tools, and building better partnerships between policymakers and tech companies.
Learn how her experience as an entertainment lawyer and founder of a global entertainment boutique has shaped her vision for the future of the industry.
Understanding Ethical AI and Data Privacy in Entertainment
Jumai Fabuyi began her career in Nigeria as an entertainment lawyer, working closely with Afrobeats artists to navigate music rights and secure deals that protected their work. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she co-founded The Scar Radio, a virtual music platform born out of a need to keep creativity and connection alive during a time when live events were impossible.
As The Scar Radio grew into a global production company, with branches in Nigeria, the U.K., and the U.S., Jumai witnessed how technology was changing how people shared and consumed entertainment. From live-streamed concerts to content creation apps like TikTok, the rules of entertainment seemed to be forever changing in unprecedented ways. In the midst of the transformation, Jumai grew increasingly concerned with the apparent lack of guardrails on the tech, with AI quickly outpacing the safeguards needed to protect both creatives and their audiences.
“Both artists and audiences were increasingly in the dark about who owned what and how their data was being used,” she explains. “I realized pretty quickly that data privacy and AI governance are key to protecting creators and users. However, these elements are sadly not a priority in the entertainment industry.”
For example, streaming services collect vast amounts of personal data, from user preferences to audience metrics, which can be misused for targeted advertising or even sold without consent. Then there’s the growing influence of generative AI tools, which are capable of everything from generating backing tracks to writing song lyrics.
These innovations, while powerful, come with serious risks. This includes copyright disputes over AI-generated content, where questions arise about ownership and royalties for work created by machines.
Bias in recommendation systems is another big issue. Algorithms often rely on historical data, which means they tend to disproportionately push content from well-known artists while overlooking newer or underrepresented creators. “This makes it harder for fresh voices to get noticed and can widen the gap in opportunities across the industry,” Jumai notes.
Jumai’s Thoughts on AI Accountability in Entertainment
Jumai believes that addressing the risks of AI in entertainment starts with accountability. That’s why she advocates for clear privacy laws that are tailored to the unique challenges of the industry, from protecting artists’ intellectual property to safeguarding user data.
But this accountability goes beyond introducing legislation and regulations — it’s about platforms recognizing where they’re falling short and committing to meaningful change.
“Entertainment platforms need to take a hard look at how they’re handling data, how AI is influencing audiences, and the ways it might be taking advantage of creatives,” she says. “Stronger privacy measures and tighter oversight of AI tools aren’t just nice-to-haves — they’re essential to building trust.”
Jumai also stresses the importance of equipping artists with the tools to navigate the gaps in current copyright and privacy laws, particularly as generative AI introduces new challenges to the creative process.
“Watching artists struggle to navigate the legal and business aspects of their careers made me realize how critical it is to not only highlight these challenges but also provide artists with the resources and advocacy they need to safeguard their work,” she explains. “That’s why I’m passionate about bridging this gap as both a lawyer and an advocate for their rights.”
But advocating for data privacy and ethical AI doesn’t mean rejecting advancements in entertainment, according to Jumai. “I want platforms like The Scar Radio to evolve into AI-compliant, metaverse-ready hubs that respect user rights,” she explains, “embracing tools like Oculus Quest and Apple Vision Pro while staying true to ethical principles. This way, artists can take advantage of new tools to create and share their art without fear of being exploited by them.
Protecting Creativity in the Age of AI
Jumai Fabuyi has dedicated much of her career to protecting artists’ creative rights in an age when technology is reshaping how people create and connect. For example, at the 2024 IAPP Conference, she led discussions on using synthetic data to reduce bias and highlighted gaps in current AI governance. She also mentors junior professionals and educates creatives on protecting their data.
The sad truth is that AI poses a very real threat to creatives everywhere. But through Jumai’s work — advocating for stronger legal protections, mentoring artists, and pushing for ethical AI practices — she’s showing it doesn’t have to be that way. With the right approach, technology can support creativity instead of undermining it.
To learn more about Jumai’s work in entertainment and ethical AI, follow her on LinkedIn and check out The Scar Radio on Instagram.