Hot on the heels of some controversy, OpenAI has once again found itself under the microscope. This time, it’s the Japanese government that has taken issue with the way OpenAI has been utilizing Japanese artwork and has formalized a request for them to put a stop to it. The story, originally broken by ITMedia and subsequently reported by IGN, cited that the artificial intelligence (AI) of the company’s social video application, Sora, had been generating questionable content that seemed to copy, or ‘rip off’, Japanese artwork.
Minoru Kiuchi, a seasoned minister in the Japanese government with a multitude of responsibilities under his purview, not the least of which is the country’s intellectual property strategy, was the one who made the public admonishment of OpenAI’s actions. According to him, anime, manga, and other related artistic expressions are “irreplaceable treasures” and he has taken the step to officially request that OpenAI cease its infringing behavior.
All this comes in the midst of what can be described as tumultuous times for the American company. They have recently faced backlash from their implementation and subsequent abandonment of an opt-out policy for copyright holders on their Sora platform. OpenAI no doubt recognizes the creative prowess of Japan’s artists, as intimated by the Company’s CEO, Sam Altman. He has publicly stated that they owe a debt to Japan for its ‘remarkable creative output’. Interestingly, the image generator from OpenAI had previously flooded the internet with a bevy of images that bore an uncanny resemblance to the work from the renowned Studio Ghibli.
The future may be uncertain for OpenAI in terms of its public image, especially given the recent turbulence. And with the Japanese government applying pressure along with intensified scrutiny from copyright holders, it appears that the company has quite a challenge on its hands. Navigating these strained waters will take compromise, ingenious invention, and a deep respect for artists’ rights everywhere, particularly those in Japan. Only time will tell if OpenAI manages to remedy the situation and soften the criticism currently being levied against them.
For more details on this ongoing matter, you can view the original article here.
