The sudden passing of South Korean illustrator Kim Jung Gi has sparked controversy over the use of AI-generated art. After his death, a former French game developer created an AI model that replicated Jung Gi’s style, leading to backlash from artists and fans who saw it as a theft of his work. This incident is part of a larger trend in the anime and manga industry, where generative AI is causing concern among artists. The rise of AI-generated art is blurring lines around ownership and liability, leading to fears that artists may lose their livelihoods. The legal issues surrounding AI-generated art are complex, with copyright laws in Japan allowing machine-learning models to scrape copyrighted data from the internet without permission. However, artists are expressing their concerns about the potential impact of AI on their careers and the industry as a whole.
| Signal | Change | 10y horizon | Driving force |
|---|---|---|---|
| AI-generated art replicates renowned artist’s style | From traditional art to AI-generated art | AI-generated art becomes more prevalent and accepted | Desire to replicate and preserve artistic styles |
| Backlash against AI-generated art in anime and manga circles | From acceptance to skepticism and hostility towards AI-generated art | Artists fear being replaced by AI and losing their livelihoods | Loyalty to traditional art forms and concerns about job security |
| AI startups launching more specialized generators for anime and manga art | From general AI models to specialized generators for specific art styles | Increased availability and refinement of AI-generated anime and manga art | Market demand for specialized AI art tools |
| Legal and ethical concerns surrounding AI-generated art | From uncertain legal landscape to potential regulation and guidelines | Potential legal battles and increased focus on copyright and ownership | Uncertainty and fear among artists about the impact of AI on their work and livelihoods |
| AI technology transforming the illustration industry | From traditional illustration methods to AI-assisted illustration | Concerns about decreased demand for illustrations and fewer job opportunities | Technological advancements and cost reduction as motivations for adopting AI in illustration |