In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has been increasingly used in various creative fields, including music, literature, and visual art. However, the question of who owns the copyright to AI-generated works has sparked a heated debate.
Kris Kashtanova, an artist and writer, used an AI program called Midjourney to create a graphic novel titled “Zarya of the Dawn” featuring a character resembling the actress Zendaya. After receiving a copyright for his work in September, Kashtanova asserted that AI-generated art should be protected under copyright law. However, the U.S. Copyright Office later reversed its decision, stating that the images in the graphic novel were not the result of human authorship.
Undeterred, Kashtanova is now exploring the legal limits of AI-generated art once again, this time using a different AI program called Stable Diffusion. The program allows users to scan their own drawings and refine them with text prompts. Kashtanova hopes that starting with original artwork will provide enough of a “human” element to sway authorities and make his new autobiographical comic eligible for copyright protection.
The debate over the legal status of AI-generated art continues to evolve as technology advances and artists experiment with new AI tools. Some argue that AI-generated art should not be eligible for copyright protection as it lacks the intentionality and creative decision-making that is inherent in human artistry. Others argue that AI-generated art should be protected to encourage innovation and creativity in the field.
