A research group at the University of Chicago has developed an effective technique that allows artists to protect their artwork from AI image generators that use artificial intelligence to create images in an existing style.
As reported by the New York Timessoftware is called “Glaze” , which places a kind of “veil” over the images that is not visible but prevents AI systems like Stable Diffusion from reproducing the style.
This approach is reminiscent of methods used to prevent facial recognition.
How AI image generators are shaking up the art world
It is no exaggeration to say that the introduction of text-to-image generator models shook the art industry and triggered a veritable earthquake among artists. By sending simple text requests like "A picture of a dog on the moon" to processing models like Stable Diffusion or MidJourney , suddenly any user can create incredibly detailed, high-resolution graphics and artwork.
Previously, this required many hours of work from professional artists. AI art has even won prizes at established art conferences, served as magazine covers, and is used to illustrate video games
More powerful models continue to enter the market, catalyzed by venture capital funding and technological research breakthroughs. Just a few months after their release, these models quickly reach a broad user base and are growing rapidly in terms of users and platforms. In September 2022, MidJourney reported over 2.7 million users and 275,000 AI-generated artworks being created every day.
Examples of reproduced styles of two very well-known artists without (images left) and with the use of glaze (right) (Image: Shawn Shan et al. )
Beyond unresolved legal issues concerning copyright, intellectual property, and artistic consent for use, it is clear that these AI models have significant negative impacts on independent artists. For the estimated hundreds of thousands of independent artists worldwide, most work on commission and attract clients by promoting samples of their artwork online.
Professional artists undergo years of training, developing their individual artistic style. The AI model also relies on imitating existing styles and benefits from training with them, without compensating the artists responsible. This effectively ends their ability to earn a living.
As the imitation of synthetic art continues to increase among popular artists, it displaces original artwork in search results, further impairing the artist's ability to promote and showcase work to potential clients.
Ultimately, these copycat attacks demoralize art students training to become future artists. Art students see their future careers being replaced by AI models.
Fear of marketing one's own art
Artists are afraid to publish new work on online platforms, Ben Zhao, a computer scientist involved in the project, told the US newspaper. They fear that by doing so, they are “feeding the monster, which is getting bigger and bigger .
This would destroy their business model. Therefore, they developed a tool that allows them to make artworks available for download, slightly modified to make it impossible for AI technology to recognize a style. A test with 1,000 artists showed that Glaze is extremely effective.
It quickly became apparent that AI image generators like Stable Diffusion or Midjourney could be used to mimic the style of individuals after their success last year. The case of Polish digital artist Greg Rutkowski , whose style was frequently copied, made this clear.
He told the New York Times that he “significantly fewer requests” for illustrations of his work. This criticism also reached those who developed Stable Diffusion, and as a result, the AI no longer generates art in Rutkowski's style.
The conflict is escalating
The Chicago team explained that artists can upload their work to Glaze and choose a different style, which minimally alters the artwork and prevents it from being used as training material for AI systems. This allows the work to be posted online without the risk of AI learning the style.
However, they admit that this isn't future-proof and that countermeasures could eventually be found. In the meantime, new works can be protected. Windows and Mac versions are planned, and widespread distribution is hoped for. Rutkowski intends to use Glaze .
Raymond Ku , a copyright expert, told the New York Times that he expects some kind of compensation system to be developed in the near future, from which artists may receive some minor financial compensation.
The conflict is likely to escalate further until that point.
Owner and Managing Director of Kunstplaza. Journalist, editor, and passionate blogger in the field of art, design, and creativity since 2011. Successful completion of a degree in web design as part of a university study (2008). Further development of creativity techniques through courses in free drawing, expressive painting, and theatre/acting. Profound knowledge of the art market through years of journalistic research and numerous collaborations with actors/institutions from art and culture.
A fundamental need for every artistically creative person is likely to be the ability to live off their art.
In order to secure your own existence, it is essential to make money with art . In fact, contrary to the majority perception, many artists can live well from their creative work these days. Nevertheless, a vast majority of all freelance artists are dependent on further sources of income (e.g. giving courses, order work, part -time jobs, etc.).
Recognition as an artist often does not bring immediate financial security. Therefore, artists are often also life artists.
The opportunities to make a living from one's own art have, however, grown significantly due to the internet and social media. As an artist, however, you must be versatile and flexible to succeed. A certain degree of perseverance is also essential.
Customer care and self -marketing are also important pillars for success as an artist .
In this section, we compile numerous articles, information, tips, and advice to help you make a living from your art.
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![Examples of copied styles from two very well-known artists without (images in the middle) and with the use of glaze (right) (Image: Shawn Shan et al.)](https://kunstplaza.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kp-glaze-gegen-ki-bildgeneratoren.jpg "Image generators: How the art community can now defend itself against AI art thanks to "Glaze" Digital art copyright")
![Owner and Managing Director of Kunstplaza. Publisher, editor and passionate blogger in the field of art, design and creativity since 2011.](https://kunstplaza.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/joachim_portrait_digitaldrawn_cut-e1588853578145.jpg "Image generators: How the art community can now defend itself against AI art thanks to "Glaze" Digital art copyright")
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