AI Art and Copyright: Why Responsible Creation Matters

 

 

There’s a lot of confusion out there about how AI art is made and even more misinformation about copyright. One of the most common myths is that AI “steals” images from online artists to create new work. As someone who’s been creating with AI tools for years, I want to clear that up.

Let’s start with the basics.
AI generators don’t “grab” copyrighted images and copy them. They’re trained on massive datasets to learn patterns, styles, and visual language just like a human artist studies thousands of works to develop their own technique. But the newer, responsible AI tools don’t allow you to upload a copyrighted image and ask the model to replicate it. That’s a violation of copyright law, and the platforms know it.

I’ve tested this firsthand. If you try to feed a copyrighted image into a modern AI generator and ask it to “make one like this,” it will either block the request or return something generic. These systems are designed to avoid infringement. And if AI art were truly stealing, we’d be seeing lawsuits and takedowns everywhere. But we’re not because responsible creators lead the process with care.

So where do the “cheap AI images” come from?
Some creators use bulk generators to produce thousands of images with little refinement. These packs are often sold for pennies, and yes they flood the market. But that’s not the fault of the tool. That’s a choice made by the user. And just like with stock photography or vector bundles, quality varies. One person’s “crap” might be another’s treasure. Customers connect with emotion, story, and style not just technique.

I’ve been creating digital art since 2008.
After a head injury, painting with a mouse was part of my therapy. It was hard. The results weren’t perfect. But people still bought that art. Because it meant something. And that’s the truth of art whether it’s made with a brush, a mouse, or an AI tool.

The customer should always have the right to choose.
And creators should have the right to be seen. That’s why I speak up not to argue, but to protect the legitimacy of my process and the visibility of my voice.

If you’re a fellow creator, I encourage you to lead with clarity. Tag your work. Disclose your tools. And trust that your process when guided by care and integrity will always matter.  

Image Disclaimer:
All images featured in this post are original AI-assisted artworks created by Susang6. Each piece reflects her unique styling, emotional calibration, and studio standards. To view these images in larger format and higher resolution, please visit her studio here.