Artificial Intelligence And Copyright: Who Owns AI-Generated Images?

Thanks to AI art generators, it's easier to be 'creative' than ever before, but who owns the copyright for art that has been created by a machine? Niké Mion examines recent case law on artificial intelligence and copyright.

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as Midjourney, Canva AI and DALL-E 2, enable users to generate images, illustrations and even artwork, taking DIY art into a completely new dimension. So good are these tools that their output can be almost indistinguishable from the work of a real artist. This makes them a delight for anyone wanting to make something beautiful quickly and cheaply, but a potential threat to traditional artists – and a possible challenge for IP professionals.