How to Use AI to Make Money with Other People's Content In today's digital economy, artificial intelligence provides unprecedented opportunities to generate income by transforming existing content. This presentation explores ethical approaches to leverage AI for monetization in 2025, highlighting practical strategies that balance innovation with respect for intellectual property. By Avery Nelson. Legal & Ethical Considerations Copyright Basics AI-generated content alone cannot be copyrighted under current US law - original human authorship is required for protection. Fair Use Doctrine Using copyrighted materials for AI training often qualifies as fair use, but remains legally complex and varies by jurisdiction. Human-AI Collaboration Content created through human-AI collaboration requires significant human creative input to qualify for copyright protection. Transparency Requirements Always review AI tool terms of service and disclose AI involvement in content creation when legally or ethically required. Key AI Tools to Leverage Others' Content Text Generators Use ChatGPT and similar tools to rewrite, summarize, and transform written content into new formats. Image Generators Create derivative artwork and designs from existing visual concepts using Midjourney, DALL-E, and Stable Diffusion. Video AI Tools Leverage auto-dubbing, background generation and editing capabilities to transform video content. Automation Platforms Scale content workflows with Make.com and Restack for efficient production and distribution. Monetization Methods Using AI & Others' Content Affiliate Marketing Create AI-curated product reviews and comparison content to generate affiliate commissions from platforms like Amazon and ShareASale. AI-Enhanced Videos Produce YouTube content using public domain footage enhanced with AI voiceovers, captions, and effects to monetize through ads. Derivative Licensing Create and license AI-generated derivative works with proper rights clearance for use in commercial projects. Print-on-Demand Design merchandise featuring AI-modified art for platforms like Printful, Redbubble, and Etsy to generate passive income. Content Creation Strategies Niche Selection Identify specific market segments with high demand and lower competition, such as specialized finance advice or niche fitness programs. AI Automation Set up systems to generate, curate, and schedule content regularly without constant manual intervention. Human Refinement Apply critical human editing to ensure quality, originality and factual accuracy in all AI-generated outputs. Passive Income Development Build subscriber-based models including newsletters, online courses, and membership sites powered by AI-enhanced content. Strategic content creation requires balancing automation with human oversight to build sustainable, profitable content businesses. Marketing & Scaling Your AI Content Business Social Media Implement AI-powered management tools to optimize posting schedules and analyze engagement metrics across platforms. SEO Optimization Use AI to generate keyword-rich titles, meta descriptions, and content tags that improve search visibility. Conversational AI Deploy chatbots for 24/7 customer engagement, lead generation, and personalized recommendations. Scaling Systems Create automated workflows and consider outsourcing AI content production to specialized freelancers or agencies. Challenges & Risks to Manage Copyright Infringement Using protected content without proper authorization can lead to takedowns, legal action, and reputational damage. Quality Control AI content may contain factual errors, inconsistencies, or lack originality without proper human oversight and editing. Ethical Concerns AI tools can perpetuate biases and raise data privacy issues that may affect your brand reputation. Regulatory Changes The legal landscape for AI content is rapidly evolving, requiring constant vigilance and adaptation. Summary & Next Steps 1 Identify Ethical Opportunities AI provides powerful tools to monetize existing content while respecting intellectual property rights and creator contributions. 2 Blend AI with Human Creativity The most successful approaches combine AI efficiency with human creativity, oversight, and legal diligence. 3 Start Small and Focused Begin with a specific niche, test AI workflows on a small scale, and gradually expand as you refine your process. 4 Stay Informed and Adaptable Continuously monitor changes in AI regulations, tool capabilities, and platform policies to ensure sustainable income.