Innovation Is a Remix: Why AI Isn’t Stealing, It’s Creating

In a vibrant and provocative keynote, I take you on a journey that begins in the heart of Nashville’s country music scene and ends with a profound rethinking of creativity in the age of artificial intelligence.

With the rhythm of culture and the pulse of technology, I dive deep into a question many are asking: Is AI stealing creativity — or is it just part of the remix?

Spoiler: It’s all a remix.

A Cultural Shift in Country Music

Let me take you to Nashville for a second.

In the heart of country music, something historic just happened: for the first time ever, two Black artists topped the country charts back-to-back. That moment says a lot about how culture evolves — and how we define what’s “original.”

It’s the perfect backdrop to explore the broader narrative of innovation—not as isolated genius, but as an ever-evolving remix of past ideas, influences, and cultures.

Is AI Copying or Creating? Debunking the AI Creativity Controversy

Not long ago, after I gave a presentation on AI’s creative potential, someone came up to me and said, “What you’re doing is theft.”

That hit me.

Yes, AI is trained on massive datasets made up of existing work — text, images, voices, styles. But isn’t that how human creativity works too?

Their concern? That AI isn’t creating, it’s copying.

And honestly? They’re kind of right.

AI does remix what's already out there. But guess what? So do we.

The Truth About Innovation: It’s Always Been Derivative

Innovation has never been about a single stroke of genius in isolation. It’s always been about recombination — mixing the past with the present to create something new.

Elvis took inspiration from Black blues artists. Lady Gaga channels Bowie, Madonna, and Queen. Missy Elliott mashed German techno, Japanese intros, and Punjabi beats on “Get Ur Freak On.” That track is innovation — because it’s a remix across culture, geography, and genre.

And that’s always been true.

From the African banjo blending with British folk traditions to become country music, to Instagram copying Snapchat’s Stories. TikTok didn’t invent vertical video.  We’ve always created by combining, adapting, and remixing.

How AI Creativity Mirrors Human Inspiration?

AI tools like ChatGPT or Midjourney don’t steal in the traditional sense. They analyze billions of data points to identify patterns, rhythms, structures, and styles. What they produce are new, unique outputs that echo—but don’t replicate—the source material.

This isn’t theft. It’s the algorithmic version of human inspiration.

Cultural Remix: Why “Originality” Is a Myth

What we call “original” is often a blend of cultures. The banjo, now iconic in country music, actually came from Africa, brought by enslaved people, and later mixed with British folk music to shape what we know today.

This shows that originality isn’t pure invention, it's cultural evolution. Innovation happens when ideas from different places and histories come together.

AI, Ethics, and IP: Remixing Responsibly in the Digital Age

Let’s be clear: there’s a difference between remixing and straight-up copying. That’s where intellectual property (IP) laws matter. They protect creators. They set the ethical boundaries.

We need those protections. Always.

But we also need to understand that influence is not theft. Remixing is not cheating. It’s the foundation of creativity.

So, Let’s Be Clear,  Remix ≠ Stealing

Remix Culture in Tech Industry

Look at the tech industry. Instagram borrowed Stories from Snapchat. Then came TikTok, then Reels. Each one borrowing, iterating, improving.

This isn’t stagnation. It’s evolution. It’s the remix in action.

And whether you’re a coder, a designer, a founder, or an artist — you’re doing the same thing. Remixing ideas. Combining what’s out there into something new.

Redefining Originality in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

The conversation about AI and creativity isn’t really about machines. It’s about us. It’s about how we define originality — and how we choose to innovate.

We need to stop glorifying the idea of something coming from nothing. Because nothing ever does.

Innovation happens at the intersections — of cultures, styles, time periods, technologies.

That’s what makes something powerful.

Everyone’s a Remix Artist: Embracing Innovation in a Copy-Paste World

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, artist, or innovator — chances are, you’re not pulling ideas out of thin air. You’re remixing. You’re combining. You’re iterating.

And so is AI.

Conclusion: Embracing Remix Culture as the Future of Innovation

Originality isn’t dead. It’s just different.

In today’s era of AI innovation and digital creativity, originality isn't about starting from scratch, it's about remixing, reimagining, and building on what came before. Whether it’s music, technology, or storytelling, true creativity lies in how we combine and transform existing ideas. 

As AI continues to evolve, the question isn’t whether it’s copying  but how we can use it to push the boundaries of human imagination while staying ethical and respectful of creative ownership. Embracing this remix culture can unlock powerful opportunities for creators everywhere.

About the Author:

Shawn Kanungo is a globally recognized disruption strategist and keynote speaker who helps organizations adapt to change and leverage disruptive thinking. Named one of the "Best New Speakers" by the National Speakers Bureau, Shawn has spoken at some of the world's most innovative organizations, including IBM, Walmart, and 3M. His expertise in digital disruption strategies helps leaders navigate transformation and build resilience in an increasingly uncertain business environment.