Welcome to The Manager’s Playbook, my personal newsletter where I share insights from Music Executives and Artists for aspiring and emerging music managers, executives and artists on how to navigate the music industry. This newsletter is brought to you by Mauricio Ruiz.

Ruiz’s Note:

I stay conflicted on this topic.

In many ways I love AI. It’s become an essential tool in my work flow. I’m also very aware its become an essential tool in MANY of your favourite songwriters and producers tool kits.

They might not admit it… but its happening.

Not really sure what I want to accomplish by writing that... I guess what I’m trying to relay is to not let this industry hit you over the head with the morality of it all.

Things change.

Sentiments shift.

Today they’ll lambast you for using AI. Tomorrow those same people are collecting their PRO Songwriting awards based off of a prompt. Hilarious.

On that note, I do appreciate my next guest on the podcast, Isabel Quintero’s position on AI Music. It comes from a genuine place.

She is making the case for ethical AI. One where everyone gets paid.

She is also very aware of uphill battle. But she’s up for it. We need folks like her. It’s why I’m excited to have her as my next guest on TMP. It’s a fascinating convo of the lay of the land and where it can potentially go.


-Ruiz

THE MANAGER’S PLAYBOOK PODCAST

(FEAT. Isabel Quinteros Annous)

AI in music isn’t a “someday” conversation. It’s already here, and if we’re not careful, it could move faster than our ability to regulate or protect creators.

From TikTok’s rise to her work at Jen Music AI, Isabel Quinteros has been at the centre of two cultural shifts redefining how music lives, breathes, and gets monetized.

This episode of The Manager’s Playbook Podcast is about this one thing:

How to build ethical AI that doesn’t erase artists, but elevates them.

Responsible Innovation Comes First

The music industry can’t afford to race ahead with AI just for the sake of speed. Too many companies are moving fast without consent or licensing. Isabel doesn’t shy away from calling that out:

At Jen Music AI, where she is the SVP of marketing & industry relations, the focus has been on building what she calls a “clean model”.

Fully licensed, fully ethical. It’s slower, but it ensures artists and partners can trust the outputs.

Takeaway: Innovation without responsibility is just disruption. True leadership means building systems that last.

Music Is More Than Content

We live in a world that treats songs like scrollable posts. But Isabel reminds us that the value of music goes deeper:

The danger of AI isn’t just about infringement. It’s about losing sight of what music actually means to people.

Takeaway: Any future worth building must keep culture, not just content, at its core.

Blockchain Could Be a Game-Changer

Royalties in an AI-driven world are messy. Infinite outputs mean infinite data points to track. Isabel points to blockchain as a possible solution:

That’s why Jen Music AI already has blockchain “under the hood.” The goal is to be ready for when the industry finally catches up.

Takeaway: If artists are to be paid fairly in the future, we’ll need systems built for scale, not scraps.

Artists Still Need a Face & Story

No matter how advanced the technology becomes, music without a human presence will always feel incomplete. Isabel captures it perfectly:

The next era of music may be personalized and powered by AI, but the human element will always be what moves us.

Takeaway: Connection beats automation. Identity will always matter.

Watch Episode 41 with Isabel Quinteros LIVE NOW

1:1 CONSULTATIONS WITH RUIZ

I’m now offering 1-on-1 strategy sessions for artists, managers, and execs serious about building beyond music.

Fully tailored to you.

We’ll break down the traditional drivers, masters, publishing, touring, merch, and then map out how to leverage them into real equity: consumer brands, media, real estate, tech, even catalog plays that turn creative work into capital.

With 16+ years across management, development, brand, content, and marketing, I’ll bring honest insight and practical frameworks that move your career forward.

If you’re ready to invest in the long game and build a career that prospers, much like the above concepts discussed above with Isabel Quinteros, let’s get to work.

PODCAST WRAP UP

AI in music isn’t the enemy.

But without intentionality, it risks becoming one.

This conversation with Isabel is a reminder: innovation must walk hand in hand with ethics, or else the very artists who give this industry life will be left behind.

Full episode is out now on YouTube and your preferred streaming platforms.

Check out the full conversation with Isabel Quinteros and myself for all the insights.

Share your thoughts with me on IG @mauroisruiz.

Watch the episode with Isabel Quinteros NOW

DON’T FORGET to Subscribe to our YouTube Channel HERE

You can also listen to ‘The Manager’s Playbook’ Podcast on Spotify, Apple, Amazon and several other platforms HERE

Simply put, a conversation like this doesn’t come cheap.

-Ruiz

Bio

I’m Mauricio Ruiz, the host and creator of The Manager’s Playbook podcast, dedicated to demystifying the world of music management, and Founder/CEO of 8 Til Faint, an Artist Management company with over 5 billion audio streams worldwide. Our past and current clients include Grammy nominated, Juno Award winning multi-instrumentalist and singer/songwriter Jessie Reyez, Skratch Bastid and more.

I am also the Co-Founder of Mad Ruk Entertainment, a content agency with over 3 billion long form video streams worldwide. Our client list includes The Weeknd, Eminem, and Celine Dion, along with renowned brands like Nike, Pernod Ricard and the NBA.

Follow me on IG @mauroisruiz

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