The TRUTH About Selling A.I. Art...

Alek
8 Oct 202312:42

TLDRThe video discusses the profitability and ethics of selling AI-generated artwork, highlighting the significant income potential despite the controversy and recent class action lawsuit. It explains the legal standing of AI art in terms of copyright, emphasizing the lack of protection under current laws. The video also addresses ethical concerns, with a focus on the perspectives of artists and the potential for AI to impact individuality in art. The creator encourages viewers to share their thoughts on whether AI art should be commercially viable.

Takeaways

  • 💥 There has been a significant increase in AI-generated artwork being sold online, with claims of potential monthly earnings ranging from $10,000 to $40,000.
  • 📈 Despite the success of some AI art sellers, there is ongoing controversy surrounding the legality and ethics of selling AI-generated artwork, with concerns about copyright infringement and the impact on human artists.
  • 🎨 The speaker presents a challenge to viewers to identify AI-generated images, highlighting the difficulty in distinguishing between human and AI-created art.
  • 💡 AI art sellers have reported substantial sales and profits, with one shop achieving £55,000 per month in sales after only 9 months of operation.
  • 🌐 The profitability of AI art is underscored by high profit margins, with digital products yielding around 91% profit after fees.
  • ⚖️ Legal concerns arise from the fact that AI-generated media currently does not receive the same copyright protection as human-created works, due to the lack of human involvement in the creation process.
  • 📝 Copyright law is explained, emphasizing the difference between automatic registration upon creation and pre-registration for enhanced protection against infringement.
  • 🚨 The risk of selling AI art is discussed, with the potential for others to copy and sell designs, but the complexity of proving an image was 100% AI-generated poses a significant challenge.
  • 📛 The first class action lawsuit against major AI companies is mentioned, highlighting the complexities and issues in legal battles over AI-generated content and copyright.
  • 🤖 Ethical considerations are explored, with arguments from an artist involved in the lawsuit, questioning the authenticity and individuality of AI-generated art versus human creativity.

Q & A

  • What is the current state of AI-generated artwork on the internet?

    -There has been a significant increase in AI-generated artwork being made and sold online, with some claims suggesting that individuals can earn substantial income from it.

  • What are some of the controversies surrounding AI-generated artwork?

    -Controversies include legal concerns, ethical issues, and skepticism about the viability of selling AI art. Some believe it should be illegal or unethical due to concerns about copyright infringement and the potential devaluation of human art.

  • How much profit can one potentially make from selling AI-generated images?

    -The profitability varies, but some shops have reported making around $55,000 per month, with digital products having a high profit margin of about 91%.

  • What are the legal concerns regarding the copyright of AI-generated artwork?

    -Current U.S. copyright law does not extend to works created without human involvement, meaning AI-generated media does not receive the same copyright protection as human-created works.

  • What are the potential risks of selling AI-generated artwork on platforms like Etsy?

    -While selling AI art is allowed, there is a risk of copyright infringement if the AI-generated work is too similar to a human artist's work. However, the risk is mitigated by the difficulty in proving that an image was 100% generated by AI without human input.

  • What is the Anderson vs Stability LTD class action lawsuit about?

    -Three artists accused AI companies of using their images to train AI models without permission, claiming copyright infringement. The case is ongoing, with the judge finding no substantial similarity between the original works and AI-generated images.

  • How does the AI-generated artwork process work?

    -AI art is created by using generative algorithms, such as those found in platforms like Mid Journey, where users input prompts to generate images.

  • What ethical concerns do artists have about AI-generated art?

    -Artists worry that AI-generated art may promote theft and forgery, as it can mimic existing art styles. They also argue that AI lacks the ability to contribute authentic, individual art, as it relies on existing data.

  • What is the argument against AI being an autonomous creator?

    -AI is not an autonomous creator; it is a tool that can replicate styles. It is up to the human user to ensure that the AI is used responsibly and does not directly copy another artist's work.

  • How can AI-generated art be seen as a collaborative tool for artists?

    -Rather than a threat, AI can be viewed as a tool for collaboration, allowing artists to explore new creative possibilities and push the boundaries of their medium.

  • What is the current legal standing of selling AI-generated artwork?

    -As of now, there are no laws against selling AI-generated artwork, and platforms like Etsy allow and support the sale of such products.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 AI Artwork Controversy and Profitability

This paragraph discusses the recent surge in AI-generated artwork and the ensuing controversy. It mentions the potential earnings from selling such art, ranging from $10 to $40,000 per month. The speaker acknowledges the skepticism around the viability of selling AI art, citing legal concerns, ethical debates, and the recent class action lawsuit against major AI companies. The paragraph also highlights the impressive sales figures of AI art shops on platforms like Etsy, emphasizing the profitability of digital products with high profit margins.

05:02

📝 Copyright and Legal Considerations for AI Art

The second paragraph delves into the legal aspects of selling AI-generated art. It explains the current copyright law's stance on AI creations, noting that they do not receive the same protection as human-created works. The speaker clarifies the difference between automatic copyright registration upon creation and proactive pre-registration, which offers stronger protection against infringement. The paragraph also touches on a class action lawsuit against AI companies, highlighting the complexities and the judge's findings on the matter. It concludes by suggesting that selling AI art on platforms like Etsy is legal and profitable, despite the lack of direct copyright protection.

10:02

🤖 Ethical Debates and the Future of AI in Art

This paragraph addresses the ethical concerns surrounding AI-generated art. It presents arguments from an artist involved in a lawsuit against AI companies, who asserts that AI models lack the human element of inspiration and creativity. The artist argues that AI's reliance on existing data limits its ability to produce authentic, individual art, and that it promotes theft by making it easy to mimic existing works. The speaker counters by suggesting that AI should be viewed as a tool that artists can responsibly use to explore new creative possibilities, rather than as a threat to individuality. The paragraph ends by inviting viewers to share their thoughts on the legitimacy and ethics of profiting from AI-generated art.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡AI-generated artwork

AI-generated artwork refers to digital art that is created using artificial intelligence algorithms, without direct human intervention. In the context of the video, this type of artwork has been a subject of controversy due to its implications on copyright and the art market. The video discusses the profitability of selling such artwork online, with examples of successful sales on platforms like Etsy.

💡Legal concerns

Legal concerns in the video pertain to the copyright and legality of selling AI-generated artwork. There is debate over whether such artwork should receive the same copyright protection as human-created works. The video highlights a recent US court ruling stating that AI-generated media does not currently qualify for copyright protection because it lacks human authorship.

💡Ethical standpoint

The ethical standpoint discussed in the video revolves around the moral implications of using AI to create and sell artwork. Concerns include the potential for AI to 'steal' from human artists by mimicking their styles and the impact on the value and originality of human art. The video presents viewpoints from artists who believe that AI undermines the creative process and individuality in art.

💡Profitability

Profitability in the context of the video refers to the potential for financial gain from selling AI-generated artwork. The video provides evidence that such artwork can indeed be profitable, with several online shops making significant monthly revenues from selling digital AI-generated art.

💡Copyright law

Copyright law is the legal framework that protects original works of authorship, including artistic works. In the video, it is discussed in relation to AI-generated artwork, questioning whether such works should be afforded the same protections as human-created art. The video explains the basics of copyright registration and the implications of AI on copyright infringement.

💡Class action lawsuit

A class action lawsuit is a legal action taken by a group of people who have suffered similar harm or have similar claims against one or more defendants. In the video, it refers to a lawsuit filed against AI companies by artists who allege that their copyrights were violated when their images were used to train AI models.

💡Etsy

Etsy is an e-commerce website focused on handmade or vintage items and craft supplies. In the video, Etsy is mentioned as a platform where AI-generated artwork is sold, and the success of certain shops selling AI art is highlighted.

💡Human authorship

Human authorship refers to the concept that a work is created by a human being, which is a key factor in determining copyright protection. The video discusses how AI-generated artwork lacks human authorship and therefore does not currently qualify for the same copyright protections as human-created works.

💡Inspiration

Inspiration in the context of the video refers to the creative process where artists draw upon their experiences, emotions, and technical skills to produce original art. The video contrasts human inspiration with AI-generated art, suggesting that the latter lacks the authentic, individual creative process of the former.

💡Public domain

Public domain refers to creative works that are not protected by intellectual property laws such as copyright, and therefore can be freely used by the public. The video suggests that AI-generated art is being treated more like public domain because it lacks human authorship and does not receive the same copyright protections.

💡Digital downloads

Digital downloads are files that are distributed electronically, typically over the internet, and can be accessed immediately after purchase. In the video, digital downloads refer to AI-generated artwork that is sold online, such as clip art, patterns, and graphics.

Highlights

AI-generated artwork has seen a significant increase in production and sales online.

Some claim that selling AI-generated images can generate substantial monthly incomes, ranging from $10 to $40,000.

There is ongoing controversy surrounding the legality and ethics of selling AI-generated artwork due to recent class action lawsuits and copyright news.

A UK-based shop selling AI clip art has achieved 28,000 sales and £55,000 in monthly revenue within 9 months.

Another shop, 'Get Your Clip Art,' openly states that its art is generated using AI and has made $6,000 in 6 months with 2,000 sales.

The shop 'Digital Curio' sells both handmade original art and AI-generated downloads, achieving significant success on Etsy.

AI-generated art does not currently receive the same copyright protection as human-created works due to a recent US judge's ruling.

Copyright law is designed to protect works created by humans, and AI-generated works are treated more like public domain.

While AI art can be copied, the risk of legal repercussions and monetary damages for infringement makes it less likely for designs to be stolen and resold.

The first class action lawsuit against AI companies (Anderson vs. Stability LTD) alleges copyright infringement based on the use of artists' images to train AI models.

The judge in the Anderson case found no substantial similarity between the artists' works and AI-generated images, questioning the basis for copyright infringement.

Carla Ortez, one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, argues that AI models lack the human element of inspiration and contribute to forgery and plagiarism.

Ortez believes AI's reliance on existing data limits creativity and threatens individuality in art.

The debate around AI art includes discussions on the ethical implications of profiting from AI-generated works and the potential impact on the art world.

AI is seen by some as a tool for collaboration and exploration in the creative process, rather than a threat to individuality.

The conversation around AI art is still evolving, with many questioning the legitimacy and future of AI's role in the creative industry.