AI art generators face backlash from artists – but could they unlock creative potential?
AI art generators are facing backlash from artists who say the technology is “scraping” their work without their consent in order to create sophisticated images.
Tim Flach, a world-renowned animal photographer and the president of the Association of Photographers, is among those who feel ripped off and says artificial intelligence can easily imitate the style of his images.
Sky News filmed Flach generating a photo very similar to one of his originals using AI.
Tim Flach was able to generate an image similar to one of his originals
“In the case of my tiger I have to put a lot of resources in there – I have to be in there with the tiger,” he said. “The machine doesn’t have to do that.
“But also the fact that at the moment these images are being generated by scraping our images, taking them off our websites, but there’s no remuneration there.”
An AI generated image (left) and a photograph of tiger by Tim Flach
He added: “For us in terms of livelihood, will there be legal frameworks that will allow us to invest creatively going forward?”
Trade bodies are calling for urgent regulation.
Isabelle Doran, the chief executive of the Association of Photographers, told Sky News: “These massive datasets have been accumulated from images that have been scraped without permission so effectively the photographers work must be remunerated … I think it’s only fair that creators are paid for the work that’s in those databases.”
The government is currently preparing an AI Code of Practice, but this will initially be voluntary.
Mat Collishaw enjoys working with new technology
Some artists see the creative potential in AI.
Mat Collishaw will open an exhibition of his work with new technology in London next week.
He told Sky News: “When photography was invented 150-odd years ago, for first 50 years most photography was just an imitation of painting … it took a long time before photographers thought ‘Hey, we can do this we can go down here’ … and I suppose it’s the same with any new iteration of technology.
“It takes time before people learn to use this new tool in a way that utilises all of its potential.”
However, where some see just another artistic tool, others worry about the outlines of a deeper, more troubling shift.
Dave McKean says AI presents a ‘redefinition of what creativity is’
Comic book artist Dave McKean said: “I think this [is] redefinition of what creativity is – there’s never been such a huge gap between the sheer lack of effort or work or anything going in and the huge sophistication that then results coming out.
“And I think that’s just a dreadful shame. I think that what we lose in that is immense.”
Of the AI companies Sky News contacted, only one, Stability AI, responded.
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Will this chatbot replace humans?
A spokesperson said the company was “building AI tools to unlock creative potential”.
“AI can help to simplify the creative process, but isn’t a replacement for creators,” they said. “For example, when using a version of Stable Diffusion, or one of the many text-to-image applications built on that suite of models, an artist controls the style, composition and arrangement of their work.
“These models are designed to act as an assistive technology and enhancement for artists, similar to what digital cameras or photo editing software has done for photography.
“Like those technologies, we expect AI to open up new opportunities for the creative industry and grow the pie for paid artistic work.
“We believe that a broad range of creative and professional talents will embrace AI and use it to rapidly implement designs and improve efficiency. AI can help professionals convert ideas into deliverables with greater creative control, less time, and lower production costs.”
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A government spokesperson said ministers were “seeking to strike a balanced and pragmatic approach which will allow AI innovators and creative industries to grow together in partnership”.
The Intellectual Property Office is to work with AI firms and rights holders to produce a Code of Practice and guidance on copyright and AI by the summer.
The spokesperson added that the government office will also “aim to make it easier for copyright holders to enforce their rights”.
“This will include providing guidance, coordinating intelligence on any systematic copyright infringement and encouraging the development of AI tools which assist with copyright enforcement,” they said.
UK
Epping council demands government ‘immediately’ close asylum hotel – as Home Office works to ‘restore order’
Epping council has unanimously voted to urge the government to shut a hotel housing asylum seekers after a series of protests.
Epping Forest District Council in Essex passed a motion calling for the Bell Hotel to be “immediately and permanently” closed “for the purposes of asylum processing”.
Several demonstrations have been held outside the hotel since 13 July, after an asylum seeker was charged with allegedly attempting to kiss a 14-year-old girl.
Police have arrested 18 people and charged nine in connection with the protests.
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Eight officers injured during migrant protest
Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, from Ethiopia, denied sexually assaulting the 14-year-old girl at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court last week and will stand trial in August.
The Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner has also reportedly urged the home secretary to review the use of the hotel for housing asylum seekers.
In a letter to Yvette Cooper, Roger Hirst said the hotel is unsuitable for housing migrants and is “clearly creating community tension”, the Telegraph reported.
Protests in Epping turned violent last week
Home Office ‘working to restore order’
The Home Office has vowed to “restore order,” threatening on Friday to make asylum seekers homeless if they refuse a change of accommodation.
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It said a new “failure to travel” policy is looking to tackle “non-compliance by asylum seekers” and will ensure individuals who are moved from hotels to suitable alternative accommodation must take it.
Those who refuse to move without a valid reason will now risk losing their housing and support, the Home Office said.
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Epping migration protest in focus
Dame Angela Eagle, minister for border security and asylum, said: “We are working to close hotels, restore order, and put fairness and value for money at the heart of our asylum system.
“This government is making those necessary decisions to protect the taxpayer and uphold the integrity of our borders.”
Asked specifically about the Epping Forest District Council vote, the Home Office said: “We’ll continue to work closely with local police and community partners, in Epping and across the country, as we fix this broken system.”
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Eight officers injured
Protests outside the Bell Hotel last Thursday began peacefully but escalated into what police described as “scattered incidents of violence,” leaving eight officers injured.
Police are braced for further protests, vowing to act swiftly if unrest spreads.
UK
There were ‘failings’ in care of ex-England cricketer Graham Thorpe in months before he died, coroner says
The actor who played PC Reg Hollis in hit TV series The Bill has been praised by officers after helping them arrest a shoplifter.
Jeff Stewart stepped in when a thief attempted to escape on a bicycle in Southampton on Wednesday.
In a statement, a Hampshire Constabulary spokesman said: “The thief, 29-year-old Mohamed Diallo, fell off the bike during his attempts to flee, before officers pounced to make their arrest.
“To their surprise, local TV legend Jeff Stewart, who played PC Hollis for 24 years in The Bill, came to their aid by sitting on the suspect’s legs while officers put him in cuffs.
(L-R) Jeff Stewart, Roberta Taylor, Mark Wingett, Trudie Goodwin and Cyril Nri celebrating The Bill’s 21st anniversary in 2004. Pic: PA
“In policing you should always expect the unexpected, but this really wasn’t on The Bill for this week.”
The Bill was broadcast on ITV between 1984 and 2010 and featured the fictional lives of police officers from the Sun Hill police station in east London.
Mr Stewart, who was among the original cast, appeared in more than 1,000 episodes as PC Hollis.
Police released footage showing their pursuit of a shoplifter in Southampton. Pic: Hampshire Constabulary
As the suspect falls to the floor, PC Hollis (aka Jeff Stewart) sits on his legs. Pic: Hampshire Constabulary
In praising Mr Stewart’s actions, the force said: “Long since retired from Sun Hill station – but he’s still got it.”
Police from the Bargate Neighbourhoods Policing Team were alerted by staff at a Co-op store in Ocean Way to a suspected shoplifter on Wednesday.
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Mohamed Diallo, 29, of Anglesea Road, Southampton, was subsequently charged with five offences of theft relating to coffee, alcohol and food from the Co-op and two other Sainsbury’s stores on three dates in April and July.
He pleaded guilty at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on Thursday and was bailed to be sentenced on August 29.
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