The Rise of AI and its Impact on Creators in Japan
The age of artificial intelligence is already upon us, and it is slowly making its way into every aspect of our lives. Even the creative fields are not immune to its influence, and some experts predict that AI will soon be writing entire films. However, this new paradigm is already having an impact on creators, particularly in Japan and China.
The Impact on Creators in China
In China, many animators and artists are finding themselves out of work due to the rise of AI. With machines doing the job faster and cheaper, many creators are struggling to keep up. This has caused a crisis in the Chinese animation industry, with many professionals calling on the government to take action.
The Call to Regulate AI in Japan
In Japan, the situation is different. Creators are organizing to ask the government to pass new laws that protect their intellectual property rights. The group, which includes illustrators and animators, is urging the government to regulate the use of AI in the industry.
One of the main concerns of Japanese creators is the development of the “MIMIC” service by RADIUS5, which allows users to use an illustration as a template and generate multiple examples in the same style. This means that anyone can replicate a creator’s style without their consent or knowledge.
The creators are asking for legislation that requires developers to have the permission of the authors before training their programs with their work. They also want to be paid for the use of their art in the process. The group is also demanding that images generated with AI be labeled as such so that it is clear that no human hand was involved in their creation.
The Case of ‘Cyberpunk: Peach John’
One of the clearest examples of the impact of AI on creators is the manga ‘Cyberpunk: Peach John.’ The manga was generated by artificial intelligence and imitates the style of Sui Ishida, the creator of ‘Tokyo Ghoul.’ Instead of hiring Ishida directly, the creator of ‘Cyberpunk: Peach John’ used a series of tools to copy his style without his consent.
The creator of the manga, Rootport, said that the process was like playing the lottery and it took only six weeks to finish a 100-page manga, which would take a year for any cartoonist to complete. This raises questions about the ethics and legality of using AI to replicate a creator’s style without their consent.
Conclusion
The rise of AI is changing the way we live and work, and creators are not immune to its impact. In Japan and China, artists and animators are struggling to adapt to this new reality. However, Japanese creators are taking a proactive approach by calling on the government to regulate the use of AI and protect their intellectual property rights. As the technology continues to evolve, it is crucial that we find ways to balance its benefits with its potential risks.
