So, before I begin, I want to preface this article with the fact it may not appeal to some, mainly because it has to do with AI and AI video generation tools specifically, and many of my NAKID readers don’t care and/or don’t use these tools… yet. But being a leader with AI generation art, and uniquely being in the position to talk about it to a large artist community that NAKID has, I think it is my responsibility to more than I have in the past, so today I want to start a new trend of more OP-ED style coverage of the traditional art community and the AI art/film community. Thank you for supporting and being here, let’s get started!
In the relentless pursuit of creativity and technological advancement, the artistic community has always danced on the fine line between inspiration and infringement. It can be tricky sometimes seeing that line between inspired by and copied, especially since throughout history as cement has always been on the back of something else, whether it be an artist, art genre or the content itself. As the founder of NAKID Magazine, I have always prided myself on it being a haven for the unapologetically bold and the aesthetically audacious, I’ve championed the raw, the real, and the revolutionary, because underlying everything I do is my firm belief in supporting artists, especially less fortunate ones. But as we sail into the uncharted waters of AI, I find myself video-to-video (v2v) AI generation, I find myself compelled to navigate a storm brewing on the horizon—a storm of copyright infringement and ethical misuse that threatens to engulf the very integrity of our creative oasis we’re building from scratch, the AI arts & film community. Being. Leader in this space means I have a responsibility not just for my readers but to the industry as a whole to be succinct and clear headed about discussing issues, successes and what the future of this industry looks like and how we should shape it for posterity.
That is why today, I want to focus on video-to-video or (v2v) AI video generation and its ethical and moral use above all others. The allure of v2v platforms is undeniable, let’s be honest. They promise a new frontier where creativity knows no bounds, transforming the mundane into the magnificent with a few clicks right? Yet, beneath that glossy surface lies a murky abyss of legal entanglements and ethical quandaries no one is talking about, but I am seeing almost daily. The ease with which one can pilfer a clip from the vast digital library of the internet—be it a forgotten moment from a vintage TV show, a cinematic masterpiece, or a personal vlog lost in the social media void of Tumblr and Live Journal, yeah that’s right I said ‘Live Journal’, a place us millennials grew up on and posted everything to before the word social media even existed—taking video content, skinning it with an AI filter, and parading it as one’s own creation, is not just troubling; it’s a siren call to legal disaster in my opinion and extremely unethical, even for educational and commentary purposes, because it’s not just stealing, its egregiously stealing something you know is not yours in a time when our AI art community is already constantly under threat and the public is already skeptical of how these models were trained in the first place. This specific use of video, v2v, highlights an area that could serve to exacerbate that confidence and easement into acceptance and I for one want to head that off by bringing this to light, before it ever has the chance to.
Let’s cut to the chase: repurposing copyrighted content without permission is illegal. Full stop. When you skin a video with AI and reap financial gain, whether through ad revenue on YouTube or any platform willing to share a penny for your thoughts (or, in this case, your theft), you’re not just crossing a line—you’re sprinting across it with reckless abandon. The worst part, you may not even realize you are in legal hot water because of how that tool is being marketed and its abilities displayed on social media constantly without end. I can’t tell you how many videos I see daily doing this. I am not going to name names or highlight any one company providing this service because it’s not the services fault, it’s yours, the consumer. These services explicitly state not to do this, yet people continue to not care and flagrantly steal content created by others and slightly alter it with AI and repost, garnering them a following, attention and in some cases brand deals and business based on their skillset with the tool itself.
As a photographer and filmmaker first, I’ve always believed in the sanctity of originality. The magic of creation lies not in the manipulation of what already exists, but in the birth of something new, something uniquely yours, and in some cases inspired by your love of another’s work. That is how it’s supposed to happen. The notion that one can merely apply a fresh coat of AI-generated paint to someone else’s masterpiece and claim it as their own is an affront to the very essence of creativity and to AI artists writ large, because they are creating original content and then animating it. If you are using v2v and using another’s video to skin it with, and that is not free (it’s only free if explicitly stated or on a site that is a license free use site), then. It undermines the blood, sweat, and tears poured into every frame, every shot, every moment captured by them, and you are just another thief attempting to cheat your way to great content. I say this as an avid AI artist/filmmaker and someone who uses these tools on a daily basis and is attempting to showcase these tools to traditional artists to help them see the benefits for them using it instead of being consumed by hating it for what they think it represents and is guilty of from inception, theft through visual training, which is an entirely different subject for another time.
The argument that such practices could be shielded under the guise of transformation falls flat. Transformation, in the legal and artistic sense, necessitates a fundamental change in the original work that adds new expression, meaning, or message. A simple visual makeover, no matter how sophisticated the AI, does not meet this threshold. The skeleton of the original work remains intact, its soul untouched and unaltered.
This is not just a matter of legal semantics. It’s a clarion call for respect—respect for the creators who’ve laid the groundwork for us to build upon, not to pillage. The digital realm is rife with opportunities to innovate without infringing, believe me, it’s everywhere if you just look. Platforms like Pexels offer a treasure trove of license-free content begging to be transformed, so use it. The real challenge, the real creativity, lies in crafting something truly original from the ground up. I say this constantly, it’s not about the quality of output, it’s about the ability to connect with your audience and tell truly impactful stories, and it’s been this way since we lived in caves. It’s not just about avoiding legal pitfalls; it’s also about preserving the integrity of our creative community. We all have smart phones with at least 12MP video cameras, you have no excuse.
Another highlight example of new tech entering the world as we delve deeper into the quagmire of legal complexities surrounding AI and copyright, it’s impossible to ignore the curious case of memes. These digital snippets of culture, often repurposed from copyrighted materials, serve as a perfect illustration of the fine line between infringement and transformative use. Memes thrive under the umbrella of fair use by adding new expressions or relatable anecdotes and phrasing to existing works to portray a sentiment or feeling mostly or just be plain funny, everyone loves them, thus changing their original context and meaning. This transformative nature, coupled with their non-commercial impact and role in parody, often shields them from legal challenges, underscoring the nuanced balance between copyright protection and freedom of expression. So, this is an example of new tech. Albeit nothing like AI, but a good example how technology altered our societal views on copyrighted content use in a positive way and was accepted.
However, the legal landscape isn’t just a battleground for rights and infringements; it’s also a testament to the groundbreaking potential of video-to-video (v2v) AI technologies when used ethically and creatively and before I conclude I want to take a beat and throw out some positive takes as well. Take, for instance, the field of education. AI-driven video enhancements can breathe new life into historical footage, making educational materials more engaging for students. A notable example is the revitalization of black and white archival videos into colorized, high-definition experiences, allowing viewers to connect with history in a more vivid and relatable way.
In the realm of filmmaking and content creation, v2v AI technologies are opening doors to unprecedented creativity as well, one of the early adopters as an artist, David Clark, who is an independent filmmaker and colleague within the filmmaking and AI video world, uses this technology in amazing ways. Most recently he showcased how he shot a scene from his Gundam short where he filmed a 360-degree video of his daughter, something very difficult or impossible without v2v, and fed it through a filter by using a conceptual image as the style reference, all ethical and an ingenious use of this tool. It also helps amateur filmmakers operating on shoestring budgets, now have access to tools that can transform their visual storytelling, offering special effects that were once the exclusive domain of big-budget productions, and we all know how I feel about gatekeeping industries that existed prior to AI use, they will be obsolete soon enough. This democratization of technology fosters a more creative landscape where ideas, not financial capabilities, dictate the quality of content, and that is what we want, an untethered imagination with the ability to create dreams from code and make anything possible.
Moreover, the technology’s application in accessibility cannot be overstated. AI-driven video generation has the potential to automatically generate sign language interpretations of educational videos, breaking down barriers for the deaf and hard of hearing community, and that is just a few examples. Such innovations not only exemplify the positive impact of AI in fostering inclusivity but also highlight the technology’s role in creating a more accessible world.
The challenges and opportunities presented by v2v AI generation and similar technologies encapsulate the dual-edged sword of digital innovation. As we navigate these waters, it’s crucial to strike a balance that respects copyright and promotes creative freedom. By championing ethical use and exploring legal frameworks that support both protection and innovation, we can really explore the full potential of these technologies to enrich our world in a myriad of ways.
We need open conversations among creators, legal experts, technologists, and policymakers that will be pivotal in shaping a future where technology serves as a bridge to new realms of creativity and expression, rather than a barrier, and that is what I want to help push. It is inevitable in this evolving landscape, that there will be bad actors, and our collective responsibility is clear: to wield the tools of innovation with care, ensuring that our digital advancements enrich, rather than diminish, the evolving of human creativity we’re seeing today as well as respect those who don’t engage in it and who’s content before AI, shaped it.
To those navigating the seductive currents of v2v AI generation, I urge you: steer clear of the tempest. The path to innovation is littered with the wreckage of those who’ve mistaken theft for creativity. It’s time to set a new course—one that honors the legacy of those who came before us and paves the way for a future where technology enhances creativity, rather than undermines it. It is so critical to its health and d future that we don’t falter for ease of use or financial gain at the expense of others using this tech.
In the end, the measure of our artistic legacy will not be determined by how adeptly we can disguise the works of others as our own because of ease -of-use, but by the courage to forge our own path, to tell our own stories, and to kindle the flame of originality in a world, it seems, without limitation and rife with imitation.