The entertainment industry is increasingly grappling with the implications of artificial intelligence, as evidenced by a recent move from DreamWorks.
In the closing credits of their upcoming animated film, "The Bad Guys 2," a firm stance is taken against the use of the film's content for AI purposes. This animated comedy, which follows the story of animal criminals attempting to reform, includes a clear prohibition against employing the work for data mining or AI training.
The disclaimer explicitly states, "All rights in this work are reserved for purposes of laws in all jurisdictions pertaining to data mining or AI training, including but not limited to Article 4(3) of Directive (EU) 2019/790. This work may not be used to train AI."
According to Western Journal, this move has been met with approval from some quarters of the entertainment industry. Megan Garside, a writer for Games Radar, praised the decision, noting that it represents "a positive move in the right direction for animators and other creatives who work in the industry and face losing out on work opportunities due to A.I."
Garside further highlighted the growing trend of AI being used to manipulate and duplicate existing visual content, as well as to write scripts and translate subtitles. The entertainment sector's concern over AI's encroachment was notably a significant factor in the 2023 strike that halted much of Hollywood's production.
The inclusion of this notice in "The Bad Guys 2" underscores the widespread anxiety within the industry about AI's potential impact. While some fans have welcomed the move, others remain skeptical. Kenneth Shepard, writing for Kotaku, acknowledged the dual nature of the situation.
He remarked, "I could be cynical and say this is just a big corporation protecting its IP from those who would choose to profit from it, but the idealist in me yells over the cynic and says this is a big win for human-made art."
Shepard expressed hope that such legal measures by companies like DreamWorks would safeguard artists' jobs from being usurped by AI programs that produce inferior art at a lower cost.
This isn't DreamWorks' first attempt to shield its intellectual property from AI exploitation. The live-action adaptation of "How to Train Your Dragon" also featured a similar declaration. These actions reflect a broader industry trend where studios are increasingly taking steps to protect their creative assets from the encroachment of artificial intelligence.
As the debate over AI's role in entertainment continues, the industry must navigate the delicate balance between technological advancement and preserving the integrity of human creativity.
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