This reflection has two parts. In total, you should submit two paragraphs - one for part 1 and one for part 2. For both parts, responses must be original. They may not be copied verbatim from the videos or anywhere else, nor should they be generated by AI tools. As stated in the syllabus, you may use such tools to improve the language of your responses, but if you do, please include your original words beneath your revised submission. Reflections submitted late through Wednesday at 11:59pm will have a maximum grade of 80%. Reflections submitted more than 24 hours late will have a maximum grade of 60%.
Part 1:
AI and copyright have been in the news related to the arts. Notably, OpenAI produced a voice for a personal assistant called Sky that sounded strikingly like that of Scarlett Johansson [1]. Artists have likewise been concerned with copyright due to the rise of AI image generators, and recently won a victory against in a landmark case where a judge ruled that that an AI company violated artists' rights by illegally storing work [2]. Likewise, in music, there is a similar case where record companies are suing AI song generators [3]. Consider art and the ethics of copyright for this reflection.
[1] https://www.npr.org/2024/05/31/g-s1-2263/voice-lab-analysis-striking-similarity-scarlett-johansson-chatgpt-sky-openai
[2] https://news.artnet.com/art-world/artists-vs-stability-ai-lawsuit-moves-ahead-2524849
[3] https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/us-record-labels-are-suing-ai-music-generators-alleging-copyright-infr-rcna158660
You may answer the following questions or use other ideas in your essay:
In the case of Scarlett Johansson's voice being imitated by an AI personal assistant, even if the AI was not trained directly on her voice, do you think she has a right to object or be compensated? What factors should influence this decision?
For visual artists and musicians, how can they protect their creative work from being imitated by AI systems without their permission? Should artists have the right to opt out of having their work used to train AI models, and how should this be enforced?
Considering the recent legal victory for artists, do you think these lawsuits will have a positive or negative impact on the future of AI development in creative fields? Will it hinder innovation or encourage more ethical AI practices?
Is it more important to protect the rights of individual creators or to encourage the development of AI tools that can produce creative works efficiently and at scale? Can there be a balance between these goals?
Where do you think the line should be drawn between inspiration and imitation? In the case of human artists, it's common to be inspired by others, but should AI be held to a different standard? Why or why not?
Part 2:
Reflecting on the content of this module (including all videos and reading), write a paragraph (5–10 sentences) that includes one or more of the following:
Insightful questions;
Clarification questions about ambiguities;
Comments about the relation of the content to previous content;
Solutions to problems or exercises posed in the readings or videos;
Critiques;
Thoughts on what you would like to learn about in more detail;
Possible extensions or related studies;
Thoughts on the topic's importance; and
Summaries of the most important things you learned.
Part 2 of this reflection is designed both to encourage you to engage with the videos before Thursday class and also to allow us to incorporate some of your responses into the Thursday class discussions.