Artists’ Work Used in Open Source AI, Raises Concerns
Last fall, fantasy artist Greg Rutkowski expressed concerns about the use of his artwork in open source AI models. Rutkowski, whose name appeared more frequently than famous artists like DaVinci and Picasso in AI-generated prompts, collaborated with other artists to request the removal of their work from Stable Diffusion, an open source image-generator developed by Stability AI.
Speaking to the MIT Technology Review in September, Rutkowski expressed worry about his art being overshadowed by AI-generated creations. Responding to his concerns, Stability AI made changes to their product, including limiting users’ ability to generate images resembling specific artists. While this was a step in the right direction, Rutkowski has now encountered a new issue related to the open source nature of AI.
A developer named Lykon on CivitAI recently released a smaller model known as LoRA, specifically designed to produce AI-generated artwork inspired by Rutkowski’s style. Lykon stated that they would consider removing the model if Rutkowski requested, but currently believes that having an accurate immortal depiction of the artist’s style is beneficial for everyone.
However, even if Lykon removes their model, it is challenging for artists to protect their work from similar open source bots in the future. Policing open source models is a difficult task, and once the technology is out there, it becomes nearly impossible to enforce requests by artists without strict regulations or legal precedents.
This situation serves as a reminder that AI’s Pandora’s box is already open. While larger companies like Stability AI have taken steps to make amends with artists whose work was used to train AI models, the damage has already been done. With open source models in the hands of developers worldwide, it is likely that we will witness the emergence of similar AI bots in the future.
The news highlights the complex ethical and legal issues surrounding the use of artwork in AI models. It raises questions about the ownership of AI-created art and whether artists should have more control over the use of their work in machine learning algorithms. The topic evokes differing opinions, with some arguing for stricter regulations and legal protections for artists, while others believe that open source AI fosters creativity and innovation.
Ultimately, finding a balance between protecting artists’ rights and promoting technological advancement will remain a challenge. As the AI landscape continues to evolve, it is crucial to establish frameworks that address these concerns and protect the interests of all stakeholders involved.
