Expert practical guidance for associations and publishers navigating AI content licensing.
Scholarly and professional content has become a critical input for many AI systems. As a result, professional associations are increasingly approached to license their content for AI use, often before they have clear policies or governance in place – and while industry norms and standards are still developing.
AI licensing deals offer meaningful revenue potential to content owners, but it is not a routine content deal. Organizations must also carefully consider the broader strategic consequences these deals introduce. These arrangements can change how content is discovered, used, and repurposed. They may affect existing business models and introduce future revenue risk. Finally, AI licensing carries brand, reputational, and member-trust implications that must be carefully considered.
Working with C&E
C&E helps leadership teams make informed, defensible decisions about if, when, and how to license content for AI use. We work alongside leadership, legal, and licensing teams to support strategic, commercial, and governance decision-making.
Our advice reflects:
- Deep experience with professional content licensing and commercial deal strategy – We have negotiated billions of dollars in licensing value across complex commercial arrangements.
- Direct experience with AI licensing structures and market approaches – We are trusted by leading associations to navigate AI partnerships, with hands-on experience across scientific, technical, and medical (STM), professional, and scholarly content.
- Deep familiarity with the missions and governance models of professional societies – We work directly with boards and executive leadership teams, supporting nuanced decision-making that balances commercial opportunity, brand integrity, and member value.
- Strategic perspective on content monetization – As a leading consulting firm focused on revenue growth and audience engagement, we help organizations evaluate AI licensing in the context of their broader content, product, and business strategy.
AI Licensing Services
Our AI licensing advisory is built around three core needs: strategy, protection, and long-term value creation.
AI Licensing Framework & Strategy
We help you develop your AI licensing framework and strategy by working through critical questions and scenarios.
- Given your range of content assets, which are most valuable for AI uses?
- What are the opportunities and risks for each content type?
- What are the primary purposes (e.g., AI training, content generation, information retrieval, decision support) your organization is interested in supporting?
- What are your “showstoppers,” and what guardrails need to be in place for a deal to be considered?
- Which potential licensors should you consider?
- Is your organization ready (policy, data hygiene, content rights clarity)?
We help you model and work through different scenarios to highlight the possible paths forward. Through this process, we help you define guardrails, principles, and policies that will inform decision-making and prepare you to think through the strategic questions and business decisions around AI licensing.
Deal Structure & Strategic Advisory
When you have an AI licensing deal on the table, we act as your strategic advisors. We will review and discuss terms with you, bringing fresh eyes and industry experience to help you think through the deal structure, identify risks and opportunities, and navigate negotiations that protect your interests and align with your business goals. Our advice goes beyond deal terms to account for existing licensing commitments and long-term implications for your content, brand, and business.
Deal Brokering & Negotiation
We will reach out on your behalf to organizations that may be interested in licensing your content for AI uses, to connect you with the right parties and support you in facilitating a deal. We work with you to structure and negotiate terms that protect you and your content and maximize your licensing revenue.
Governance Board Education
We conduct board education sessions on AI licensing, giving boards and other governance bodies an overview of the landscape and how to think about AI licensing deals for your organization. We will prepare your board for governance processes that enable agile decision-making while maintaining necessary risk management.
Go-to-Market & Business Development Strategy
We partner with your sales and licensing teams to craft market development programs that combine business development and research. We help you identify target segments, design strategic client conversations, create frameworks to capture insights, and phase your outreach to build relationships while gathering market intelligence.
Start with a Conversation Today
Contact us to discuss an active AI licensing opportunity, prepare leadership or board briefings, or develop an AI licensing framework.
AI licensing support is one component of C&E’s broader AI advisory work, which helps organizations assess opportunities, manage risk, and apply AI strategically across the enterprise.
See AI @ C&E for our full list of AI services.