UAE artists ask where 'rights, ethics end' after Ghibli trend goes viral
Theft is easy with AI," This is how visual artist in UAE, Jalal Luqman, reacted to the Ghibli trend that has gone viral. While audiences around the globe remain captivated by the animation-style AI-powered imagery, artists here in the region are speaking out with concerns.
If this trend continues, they are afraid Ghibli will eclipse diverse artistic expressions. This is a trend that has circulated social media such as on Instagram, where they also change their own photograph to Ghibli style.
The explosion of the #Ghibli tag has occurred as more creators have begun utilizing this style to get noticed and gain followers. Now, there are endless posts ranging from home styling to food, landscaping — even some brands have showcased their employees and office space in the artistic format.
Luqman, a multi-disciplinary emirate artist shared that yes, AI has arrived and yes it will go away, but society is in the primitive stages of processing the capabilities of AI. Rules and laws will form over time, but what happened is unfortunate." Best of luck with the artist case – may it result in some clear laws preventing the abuse of this technique.
That was a reference to the Studio Ghibli co-founder who sued OpenAI for copyright violation.
Though this was back in 1996, Luqman was among the first in the UAE to embrace technology in visual arts, using digital art as part of his exhibitions. There is nothing wrong with people loving digital art, BUT where are the lines to rights, and at what point does using other peoples properties begin to feel wrong?
"I am all for technology, however not where I press a button and claim the work as my own. He said that he uses it as an aid and inspiration.
Luqman said it wasOK for artists to want to share how people look and is good for the art community to get exposure, but ultimately, he added, it could be an issue when others are profiting off their business without proper credit. "If it is a tik Tok trend for people to see how they look its fine but if someone profited from the work of others by not crediting them it's a problem," he said.
While the Ghibli trend is charming, it threatens to homogenize the voice of an artist, he said. And instead of incorrectly claiming ownership over a cartoon style we see everywhere now, it's immoral for anyone to assert it as being their own. The institutions too that worked on using this style for their advantage are to blame too."
Luqman added that he has clients who appreciate the unique art he produces and who understands the background of an artist. "They are not looking for run of the mill work; they are looking for something special"
Soma Siddig, a Sudanese artist who lives and works in Sharjah, said milestones such as AI only proves that "no one will ever achieve what an artist does". Your favourite argument against AI art is now dull, A I art is somewhat boring, repeating, there is nothing unique, that creativity, that human is only with human artists.
AI might evolve in the creative part but it will never be as creative as a human brain with all its insights and concepts.
Al Ain-based Emirati painter and art business owner Shama Khalil Al Ashkhari said: "AI is the future — it's speedy and saves time." Yet others still opt for the individualistic touches offered by painters.
There are particulars an artist adds that no AI could imitate, and there will always be a difference between the two.
Comments