‘UK Artists Unite to Combat AI Image Generation Software’

Since the advent of Midjourney and other image generators, artists have been observing and wondering whether AI represents a major opportunity or an existential threat. Midjourney names 16,000 artists whose work is said to have been used to train its AI, including Bridget Riley, Damien Hirst, Rachel Whiteread, Tracey Emin, David Hockney, and Anish Kapoor. Now that the list has been revealed, the art world is calling to arms. For engineers.

British artists have contacted U.S. lawyers to discuss joining a class action lawsuit against Midjourney and other AI companies, other artists told a U.S. newspaper. observer They argued that they could bring legal action themselves in the UK.

“What we need to do is come together,” said Tim Flack, president of the Society of Photographers and an internationally acclaimed photographer whose name also appears on the list.

“Releasing this list of names to the public is a great opportunity for artists to come together and take on this issue. Personally, I am in favor of doing so.”

The 24-page list of names constitutes Exhibit J in a class action lawsuit filed by 10 American artists in California against Midjourney, Stability AI, Runway AI, and DeviantArt. “We’re seeing interest from artists around the world, including in the UK,” said Matthew Butterick, one of the artists’ lawyers.

Tech companies have until February 8 to respond to the complaint. Midjourney did not respond to requests for comment.