In the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence and creative tools, Freepik stands at the forefront, blending stock imagery with cutting-edge AI capabilities. Joaquin Cuenca, CEO and co-founder of Freepik, recently shared insights into the limitations of AI, the enduring power of storytelling, and the perilous terrain of copyright in an interview with TechRadar. As AI tools proliferate, industry insiders are grappling with how these technologies reshape creativity without overstepping legal bounds.

Cuenca emphasized that while AI excels at generating visuals quickly, it falls short in crafting compelling narratives. ‘AI is great for inspiration, but it lacks the human touch that makes stories resonate,’ he told TechRadar (TechRadar). This perspective comes amid a surge in AI-generated content, where tools like Freepik’s AI image generator, trained exclusively on licensed content, aim to provide safe, high-quality outputs, as reported by Sunrise Geek (Sunrise Geek).

The Human Element in AI-Driven Creation

Storytelling remains a cornerstone of effective communication, particularly in marketing and design. Cuenca highlighted that AI can produce stunning images but struggles with context and emotion. ‘You need a story to connect with people; AI alone can’t do that,’ he explained in the TechRadar interview. This view aligns with broader industry trends, where posts on X underscore that AI-generated films are shifting focus toward narrative depth over mere visuals, with one user noting, ‘AI-generated films are exploding, and while the tech behind them is impressive, it’s clear that stunning visuals alone won’t hold attention anymore. The real game-changer is storytelling’ (posts found on X).

Freepik’s evolution from a stock photo site to an all-in-one AI creative suite exemplifies this blend. As detailed in an X post, ‘What Freepik has achieved is insane… from being just a simple stock image site to becoming the all-in-one AI suite’ (posts found on X). This transformation includes tools that assist in ideation while encouraging human oversight for narrative integrity.

Navigating Copyright Complexities in 2025

Copyright issues have intensified with AI’s rise, prompting legal scrutiny worldwide. The U.S. Copyright Office’s 2025 report on AI-generated works stresses that such content may not qualify for protection without significant human input, according to Reuters (Reuters). Cuenca warned against the ‘copyright nightmare’ of using unlicensed data, advising creators to prioritize licensed sources to avoid infringement.

In Australia, the government ruled out copyright changes that would allow AI companies free rein on creative works, following backlash from artists, as reported by ABC News (ABC News). Freepik addresses this by training its AI solely on licensed content, ensuring users can generate images for commercial use without attribution worries, per Quora discussions citing Freepik’s guidelines (Quora).

AI Limitations Exposed: Beyond the Hype

Despite advancements, AI has inherent limits, particularly in originality and ethical use. Cuenca told TechRadar that AI hasn’t killed the stock image market but has complicated it, stating, ‘I hoped the answer was “yes”, but it’s more complicated than that’ in a related TechRadar piece (TechRadar). Reviews on AutoPosting.ai reveal Freepik’s practical constraints, like daily download limits and AI pricing structures, which force users to balance efficiency with costs (AutoPosting.ai).

Global policy moves in 2025, as outlined by VKTR, show courts defining fair use and licensing for AI, with over 56 copyright cases filed against AI firms by October, according to Copyright Alliance (Copyright Alliance). These developments underscore the need for transparency in AI training data.

Storytelling’s Role in Future-Proofing Creativity

Industry experts predict that by summer 2025, AI filmmaking will prioritize narratives, with tools like Runway ML and Freepik AI enhancing but not replacing human storytellers, as per X posts forecasting trends (posts found on X). Cuenca advocates for AI as a collaborator, not a substitute, emphasizing ethical practices to foster innovation.

Projects like Story Protocol aim to license content for AI on-chain, addressing IP rights gaps, as highlighted in X discussions: ‘So, @StoryProtocol is about IP rights on-chain… there’s literally no proper way to license content for AI models right now’ (posts found on X). This could revolutionize how creators monetize work in an AI-dominated era.

Legal Safeguards and Industry Shifts

Attorney Aaron Hall’s insights on legal issues with AI-generated content warn of potential infringements, recommending clear guidelines for usage (Aaron Hall). Freepik’s support pages reinforce this, offering guidelines on AI-generated resources to ensure compliance (Freepik Support).

For print-on-demand sellers, Qikink advises understanding Freepik’s commercial rules to avoid pitfalls, noting alternatives if restrictions apply (Qikink). As AI integrates deeper into software services, companies like Freepik are setting benchmarks for responsible innovation.

Emerging Trends in AI and IP Integration

X posts from 2025 highlight explosive advancements, such as Freepik’s shift to an AI suite alongside competitors like Adobe Firefly and Google’s models (posts found on X). The Story Ecosystem’s focus on ‘AI x IP’ signals a maturing field where blockchain meets creativity (posts found on X).

Cuenca’s vision positions storytelling as the antidote to AI’s limitations, urging professionals to leverage tools ethically. As copyright laws evolve, staying informed is crucial for insiders navigating this dynamic intersection of technology and art.