The Dark Side of AI Training: Artists’ Works Used Without Permission

Artists speak out against the unauthorized use of their works in AI training, highlighting the ethical implications and consequences for emerging artists. This casts a shadow over the initial excitement around AI-generated images. To survive, creators around the world need to adapt to the new situation.

A robot taking away an artist’s job, AI-generated image via Midjourney. “No AI” symbol added by the author.

Recently, an independent artist Kelly McKernan posted on her Instagram how she felt when she found out that she was one of the first 400 artists whose artwork was used to train AI. Without her consent.

I’m credited (…) on the Wikipedia page for AI art as a “style prompt.” I’m getting tagged in image prompts and met with indignation when I request my name removed.

She continues that to her, much of this is unethical and feels violative. Moreover, it’s affecting many aspiring artists.

Current art students are discouraged from continuing to study; professors don’t know what to tell them; emerging artists are feeling hopeless and giving up.

Kelly ends his posts with an appeal to do something about it.