AI Art Theft Sparks Controversy in the Esports Community
A recent incident during a live Twitch stream has ignited a heated debate in the esports community. A viewer allegedly stole an in-progress artwork created by the streamer and fed it to an AI generator. The viewer then posted the AI-completed piece as their own, accusing the artist of stealing from them.
Outrage and Support for the Artist
The artist, known as ato1004fd, spent over 11 hours working on the piece on Twitch, while the viewer seemingly took the image early on, processed it through an AI system, and uploaded it long before the artist finished their work. The viewer then demanded a “proper reference” from the artist. Outraged by the situation, fans and fellow artists rallied behind ato1004fd. The viewer eventually deactivated their account, and the artist shared their finished artwork.
Call for Change
This incident has drawn attention to the need for change within the artist community. Many artists and supporters are advocating for better protection of artists’ work. They argue that AI should be trained on Public Domain models, artists should have the option to opt-out of training data, and copyrighted material should not be used in training data. The aim is to ensure that artists are not unduly exploited and have their work properly credited.
Debating the Authenticity of AI Art
In response to the situation, some artists questioned the authenticity of AI-created art. They argued that AI artists are not true artists unless they can draw by hand. Others compared AI art to tracing and editing existing works, suggesting that it is not truly original. The debate around AI art and its impact on the art world continues.
Looking Ahead
While this particular incident may have resolved itself, the issue of AI art theft persists. Many artists who livestream or share work-in-progress versions of their art are reconsidering their practices or opting for watermarked versions to deter theft. The use of AI in art creation raises ethical concerns, as it can facilitate the undermining and stealing of artists’ hard work. As the art community grapples with these challenges, artists will continue to seek ways to protect their work and maintain the integrity of their creative process.