A new app, ARK, has been launched by screenwriter Ed Bennett-Coles and songwriter Jamie Hartman to safeguard the intellectual property of artists from the growing encroachment of artificial intelligence (AI)-generated content. 

This blockchain-based platform aims to preserve the human creative process and ensure that artists retain full control over their work in an era increasingly dominated by AI.

Bennett-Coles, who described a personal turning point in 2008 upon reading about AI writing its first screenplay, said the rise of AI in creative industries presented a significant challenge. 

“AI is coming in, swooping in and taking so many people’s jobs,” Hartman said, reflecting the duo’s concerns. The app responds firmly with a message that, “this is our work,” reaffirming the idea that human creators should determine the value of their intellectual property.

ARK operates by allowing users to upload rough demos or early drafts of their work, instantly establishing proof of creation. Key features include non-disclosure agreements, biometric verification, and blockchain-backed timestamps, which ensure that ownership is securely documented from the inception of a piece of art to its final product. The app also allows collaborators to log their contributions, guaranteeing fair credit and compensation for all involved.

Bennett-Coles explained that ARK challenges the belief that only the finished product holds value. “The end product is just part of the process; it’s the journey that matters,” he said. 

Both Bennett-Coles and Hartman are deeply concerned about the effect AI is having on the artistic community, believing that the creative process itself is being threatened by technology that lacks human emotion, experience, and perspective.

Set to fully launch in the summer of 2025, ARK has already garnered support, securing funding from venture capital firm Claritas Capital and forming a strategic partnership with BMI, the renowned performing rights organisation. The decentralisation of ARK is a key feature, ensuring creators have full control over their intellectual property, free from corporate interference.

Reflecting on the growing influence of AI, Bennett-Coles quoted a striking metaphor: “Growth for growth’s sake is the philosophy of the cancer cell. And that’s AI.” 

He drew a parallel between the process of human creativity and a personal experience, saying, “The car trip that Jamie makes when he’s heading to the studio might be as important to writing that song as what happens in the studio itself.” This, he believes, illustrates the importance of the human touch in creative endeavours—something AI can never replicate.

Hartman added that ARK serves as “a check and a balance on behalf of the human being,” underscoring its role as a defender of artistic integrity in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. As AI continues to make strides in various fields, ARK provides a timely solution for creators determined to protect their work from the risks posed by artificial intelligence.