AI Art - Return of the Artist
If you are reading this, you are the resistance - (not) John Connor
Free for All
On part 1: AI Art - The AI Menace I said to not fret, that there is hope. You see…
Ai “art” can't be copyrighted.
At least not within the U.S. (nor Europe or the UK). That’s right, according to the US Copyright Office copyrighted works 'must be created by a human being.'1 Hence Ai images are Public Domain2
The public domain is largely made up of of works that are ineligible for copyright protection, or the copyright on those works have expired. Permission is not necessary to use public domain works, because nobody "owns" the work from a copyright perspective.
"But, Solid how the F this helps me as an artist?”
Ownership, my fellow artist. Ownership. When someone will want something of theirs's, they will have to approach an artist. No organization or customer, in my opinion, will risk using Ai generated images for anything serious just to have their images used by others willy-nilly.
If I wanted an awesome Bear soldier art I wouldn’t ask an AI system to generate it just to have some rando take it and use it for himself (unless I didn’t care) and I can’t do a thing since it can’t be copyrighted. But I will go to an artist and ask him to create an amazing piece of art of a WereBear.
BUTT!
There always a butt, isn't it? Apparently, for what I have read on twitters (yeah, I know), the image can be copyrighted if it has been worked on. Meaning it's not what the AI system output originally.
This is where you, the artist, comes into play. *cash-in sound*
Let's say I generate an image which I'm ok with it but I want it to be improved upon. So, I approach you, the Artist, and I asks if you can make X and Y changes to the image.
Then you, who hates Ai, tells me to “go F myself”. I’M JOKING. I’M JOKING. 😅
You might see an opportunity to make some money without putting too much work or time since there’s a template already created and it only needs the modifications the customer wants. So, you make some money, don’t take as much time in the process, and your customer is happy. Everyone wins, hopefully.
Now, not everything is peaches and cream. It's not clear to what extent the image has to be altered for it to be copyrighted. This has to be discussed further (not gonna happen here).
Templates
Love it, hate it, or "meh” it, I have to admit AI generates some impressive images. Specially gingers. ( ͡ᵔ ͜ʖ ͡ᵔ )
Impressive right? Ok, I’ll admit it. I'm bias. I have a thing for gingers. Here is another example of a well done AI generated boooo… image. ԅ(≖⌣≖ԅ)
Neat! Ok, I'm going to stop now. But, you gotta admit, both look great, right?
WRONG!
I bet you didn’t notice the bulge on the redhead face, or her hollow eyes, or even the abnormal lenses. Also, neither the ghosting necklace, or dual arm on the Victorian brunette, or even the fact that her clothes are infused inside her right shoulder. You just saw the boobies, didn’t you? ( ͡ᵔ ͜ʖ ͡ᵔ )
See, those images require improvements to look properly. And, once again, this is where the artist comes into action. *cash-in sounds*
A New Hope
I hope these words give you optimism. That just because there’s this “new” technology doesn’t mean you, as an artist, will become obsolete or jobless. If anything I want you to consider how you can exploit it to your advantage. Don’t fall into nihilism, keep moving forward. Keep making art.
I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me.
A day may come when the courage of Artists fails, when we forsake our canvas and break all our brushes, but it is not this day.
An hour of dry paints and shattered pencils when the Age of Artists comes crashing down, but it is not this day!
This day we fight!
By all that you hold dear on this good earth, I bid you stand, Artists of the Internets!
Source: https://www.engadget.com/us-copyright-office-art-ai-creativity-machine-190722809.html
https://guides.library.upenn.edu/copyright/public-domain