A war is brewing between creatives and artificial intelligence-generated art. An AI-generated art piece won the Colorado State Fair’s art competition in September, which left artists fuming. Similarly, Adobe recently announced it would allow users to sell AI-generated images on Adobe Stock. A large portion of the creative community is against the use of AI-generated art. The industry’s growth has led to a heated debate surrounding the ownership of such pieces. However, blockchain tech may be vital in resolving the issue.
According to Vermillio CEO Dan Neely, authenticating AI art through the blockchain will allow anyone to verify ownership of a piece of AI art as well as its lineage. In theory, this means creators of art pieces that an AI uses to train could gain compensation.
“This matters not only because creators need to prove that a piece of content is their own, but because they need to authenticate the use of their digital creations,” Neely told Cointelegraph.
Artist’s Fear For their Futures
Neely believes that AI-generated and traditional art can coexist, with separate markets for each. However, it’s easy to see why artists and creatives feel the AI art industry is a threat to their livelihoods.
“I am worried about the starting artists struggling to see a path forward when AI is making “art” on the backs of the industry professional,” tweeted artist Zakuga Mignon Art as part of a six-tweet thread. “AI ‘art’ can be ethical; it can use free source art and photography. They exist. AI such as Stable Diffusion, Midjourney are stealing.”
Neely states that creatives must choose whether to use tools, including blockchain, to protect their work or allow AI’s to use their work to generate AI art. With authenticated AI, artists can protect their work while helping to shape how AI-generated art is used.
“Creators want to take their work with them wherever they choose and share it with the communities they care about,” Neely added.
Image courtesy of William F. Hertha 2022
Jack Brassell is a freelance journalist and aspiring novelist. Jack is a self-proclaimed nerd with a lifelong passion for storytelling. As an author, Jack writes mostly horror and young adult fantasy. Also an avid gamer, she works as the lead news editor at Hardcore Droid. When she isn't writing or playing games, she can often be found binge-watching Parks & Rec or The Office, proudly considering herself to be a cross between Leslie Knope and Pam Beasley.
