Midjourney Copyright Law: What AI Artists Need to Know

AI Samson
8 Feb 202417:07

TLDRThe video discusses the legal and ethical implications of AI art generators like Mid Journey, which has recently faced a lawsuit by thousands of artists whose works were allegedly used to train the AI without consent. The script highlights the debate around copyright, the value of original artistry, and the potential for AI to revolutionize various industries, suggesting that adaptability and the ability to synthesize knowledge across disciplines will be crucial skills in this evolving landscape.

Takeaways

  • 📢 Thousands of artists are uniting to sue AI art generators like Mid Journey due to concerns about copyright infringement and the unauthorized use of their work in training databases.
  • 🔍 A secret list containing the names of artists used to train Mid Journey was recently leaked online, sparking controversy and legal action among the artists whose work was used without consent.
  • 💡 Riot Games artist John Lamb revealed that Mid Journey's database includes thousands of artist names and suggested that developers discussed 'laundering' artist styles to avoid copyright detection.
  • ⚖️ The legal challenge faced by AI art generators revolves around the issue of derivative works and the difficulty in tracing the origin of AI-created content, which raises questions about the provability of copyright infringement.
  • 🎨 AI art technology has rapidly evolved, as exemplified by Mid Journey's win at the Colorado State Fair and the increasing quality of AI-generated art, leading to cultural debates about the legitimacy and ethical implications of such creations.
  • 📸 AI-generated works have also won photography and literature competitions, complicating the notion of originality and authorship, and prompting discussions about the attribution of creative works that involve both AI and human elements.
  • 🌐 The lawsuit against Mid Journey, Stability AI, Runway, and Deviant Art highlights artists' concerns that AI art generators exploit their work without fairly compensating or crediting them, essentially 'laundering' copyright.
  • 🤖 Artists argue that AI art generators devalue human creativity by offering the outcomes of art without the costs associated with the artists' contributions, thus undermining the value of original creative work.
  • 📈 The development and use of AI in art and other fields reflect broader societal trends, emphasizing the importance of adaptability, continuous learning, and the ability to synthesize knowledge from various disciplines.
  • 🚀 Some artists are embracing AI technology, adapting their skills and finding new ways to create and sell their work, while others resist the changes brought about by AI, viewing it as a threat to their livelihood and creative integrity.
  • 🌟 The ongoing legal and cultural discussions around AI art reflect a larger debate about the nature of creativity, originality, and the role of technology in shaping our understanding and appreciation of art.

Q & A

  • What is the main issue that artists are rallying against in relation to AI art generators like Mid Journey?

    -Artists are concerned about the use of their work to train AI art generators without proper attribution or compensation, leading to a potential lawsuit against companies like Mid Journey, Stability AI, Runway, and Deviant Art.

  • What was leaked online that sparked controversy among artists?

    -A secret list containing the names of over 4,000 artists used to train Mid Journey was leaked online, revealing the extent to which AI art generators rely on existing artistry.

  • How does the leaked list affect the future of AI art?

    -The leaked list raises questions about copyright, intellectual property, and the ethical use of artists' work in training AI algorithms, potentially leading to legal battles and changes in how AI art is developed and credited.

  • What is the main argument of the lawsuit filed by artists against AI art generators?

    -The lawsuit argues that AI art generators use artists' work as a means of copyright laundering, allowing customers to enjoy the benefits of art without having to value or compensate the original artists.

  • How does the development of AI art impact the traditional view of creativity?

    -The development of AI art challenges the traditional view of creativity by suggesting that imitation and combination of existing works can be a valid form of creative expression, as seen in quotes from Salvador Dali and Mark Twain.

  • What is the significance of the Colorado state competition and the Japanese literature prize in the context of AI-generated art?

    -The Colorado state competition and the Japanese literature prize are significant because they showcase the growing acceptance and recognition of AI-generated art and literature, raising questions about the attribution and value of human creativity in the age of AI.

  • How do artists like Sarah Shaquille adapt to the rise of AI in art?

    -Sarah Shaquille and other artists embrace the development of technology by using AI art generators to create and sell new works, demonstrating a willingness to adapt and evolve with technological advancements.

  • What is the potential impact of generative AI on the job market?

    -Generative AI has the potential to impact over 40% of jobs, transforming and improving various roles across industries, though this may also lead to complex discussions around the nature of work and creativity.

  • What is OpenAI's stance on the use of copyrighted works for training AI like Chat GPT?

    -OpenAI has warned that a ban on using news and books to train AI models would hinder the development of artificial intelligence, and they are advocating for copyright exemptions to continue their progress.

  • What does the speaker suggest as the best approach for artists and designers in the face of AI advancements?

    -The speaker suggests that embracing and adapting to new technologies, learning new skills, and finding creative ways to use AI tools are the best approaches for artists and designers to remain relevant and innovative.

  • How does the speaker describe the fundamental concept of human evolution in relation to AI?

    -The speaker describes human evolution as a process of continuous growth and adaptation, which includes the development and acceptance of new technologies like AI, even if it challenges existing norms and values.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 AI Art Lawsuit Controversy

The video script discusses the ongoing legal battle involving thousands of artists who are suing AI art generators like Mid Journey, alleging copyright infringement. A secret list of artists used to train Mid Journey was leaked online, causing discord among those artists. The video explores the leaked list, the artists' reactions, and the potential future of AI art. It highlights the case of an artist at Riot Games, John Lamb, who released evidence of Mid Journey using artist names for training their AI. The discussion delves into the implications of copyright law on AI training methods and the potential for AI to create derivative works that are difficult to trace back to the original artist.

05:02

📸 AI and the Evolution of Artistic Creation

This paragraph examines the complex nature of proving the origin of artistic works in the age of AI, especially in fields like photography and literature. It discusses the challenge of distinguishing between human and AI-created content and the legal proceedings against AI art generators. The paragraph also touches on the broader societal implications of AI on the value of artists and the potential for AI to replace human creativity. Historical quotes from Salvador Dali and Mark Twain are used to highlight the long-standing debate on imitation and innovation in art.

10:04

💡 Adapting to the Digital Design Trend

The focus shifts to the personal journey of an artist and designer transitioning from traditional print design to digital design, reflecting on the strategic trends in the design industry. The paragraph discusses the economic and technological shifts that have made UI/UX design a lucrative career path. It emphasizes the importance of adaptability, recognizing valuable skills, and the ability to synthesize learnings from different disciplines. The video also explores the role of AI art generators in enhancing creativity and the need for artists to embrace technological advancements.

15:06

🌐 Navigating the Future of AI and Copyright

The video concludes with a forward-looking perspective on the development of AI and its impact on copyright laws. It discusses the potential for governments to prioritize technological advancement over existing copyright protections. The paragraph contemplates the blurring of what it means to be human as AI continues to evolve. It also promotes Skillshare as a platform for personal development and learning, offering a one-month free trial for viewers and highlighting the benefits of investing in one's own education, especially in the context of rapidly advancing technology.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡AI art generators

AI art generators refer to software or algorithms that utilize artificial intelligence to create art. In the context of the video, these generators, such as Mid Journey, Stability AI, and Runway, are being sued by artists for copyright infringement. The generators are accused of using artists' works without permission to train their AI models, raising questions about the ethical and legal implications of AI in the art world.

💡Copyright law

Copyright law is a legal framework that protects the rights of creators over their original works, including artistic creations. In the video, the leaked conversations and the lawsuit highlight the potential conflict between AI-generated art and existing copyright laws, as artists argue that their works have been used without consent to train AI systems.

💡Artists' rights

Artists' rights refer to the legal and moral entitlements that artists have over their creative works. The video emphasizes the controversy surrounding AI art generators, as artists feel that their rights are being violated when their works are used to train AI systems without proper attribution or compensation.

💡Creative act

A creative act is the process of producing something new and original through the use of imagination, skill, and innovation. In the video, there is a debate about whether AI-generated art can be considered a creative act, with some arguing that it is merely a replication of existing works without the human element of creativity.

💡Laundering art

Laundering art refers to the practice of altering or obscuring the original source of a creative work to such an extent that it becomes difficult or impossible to identify its origin. In the context of the video, this term is used to describe how AI art generators may use artists' works to train their systems, creating derivative works that are then used to further train the AI, effectively 'laundering' the original art from the database.

💡Derivative works

Derivative works are creations that are based on or derived from one or more existing works. In copyright law, a derivative work is a new creation that includes aspects of a pre-existing, copyrighted work. The video discusses the challenges in identifying derivative works in the context of AI-generated art, as AI systems can produce numerous imitations that are then used to train the AI further, complicating the tracing of origins.

💡Copyright laundering devices

The term 'copyright laundering devices' is used in the video to describe AI art generators that are accused of circumventing copyright laws by creating works that are difficult to trace back to their original sources. This implies that these AI systems are being used to generate art that appears original but is actually based on copyrighted works without proper attribution.

💡Imitation

Imitation refers to the act of copying or replicating the characteristics, style, or work of another, often as a form of learning or inspiration. In the context of the video, imitation is a central theme in the debate over AI-generated art, with artists questioning whether the AI's ability to imitate human works can be considered a form of creation or if it is merely replicating existing art.

💡Artificial intelligence evolution

Artificial intelligence evolution refers to the ongoing development and advancement of AI technologies. In the video, this concept is discussed in relation to the impact of AI on various industries, including the arts. The speaker suggests that AI will continue to evolve and transform roles and technologies, regardless of any legal or ethical challenges it may face.

💡Generative AI

Generative AI refers to AI systems that are capable of creating new content, such as images, text, or music, based on patterns learned from existing data. In the video, generative AI is the basis for the AI art generators in question, and the discussion around it includes the potential impact on jobs, creativity, and copyright.

💡Skillshare

Skillshare is an online learning community that offers a wide range of courses in various fields, including design, entrepreneurship, and technology. In the video, Skillshare is mentioned as a resource for individuals looking to adapt and learn new skills in the face of evolving technology, emphasizing the importance of lifelong learning and adaptability.

Highlights

Thousands of artists are rallying to sue AI art generators like Mid Journey, indicating a growing concern over copyright and the future of AI in art.

A secret list containing the artists used to train Mid Journey has been leaked online, sparking controversy and legal action.

Riot Games artist John Lamb released screenshots and a list of artists used in Mid Journey's training, including discussions from Discord servers.

Mid Journey's CEO, David Holtz, acknowledged that the AI uses artist names, not just genres, for training purposes.

The leaked conversations suggest that Mid Journey developers discussed 'laundering' artist styles to train their AI, raising ethical and legal questions.

AI art algorithms can create imitation works and then train on those imitations, potentially removing the original art from the database, complicating copyright issues.

The lawsuit against Mid Journey, Stability AI, Runway, and Deviant Art argues that AI art generators are used as copyright laundering devices.

Artists are concerned that AI art generators can produce images similar to their original works, which they see as copying.

The debate over AI and art includes historical perspectives on imitation, with quotes from Salvador Dali and Mark Twain highlighting the importance of imitation in creation.

The speaker shares personal experience as an artist and designer, discussing the evolution of skills and the impact of technology on the art world.

Embracing technology and adapting to new tools, like AI art generators, is presented as a way for artists to continue creating and selling their work.

The discussion suggests that AI will impact all jobs and that generative AI has the potential to transform and improve every role.

OpenAI is calling for copyright exemptions to support the development of AI like ChatGPT, which is facing its own legal challenges.

The future of AI in art and other fields may require a reevaluation of copyright laws and the nature of human creativity.

Skillshare, an online learning community, is recommended as a resource for learning new skills and adapting to technological changes.

The video encourages investing in personal growth and education as a way to navigate the evolving landscape of technology and art.

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