Generative AI is controversial for a variety of reasons, but the ease with which it can be used to swipe through content from other creators is one of the earliest and most notable, as the disturbing post about X demonstrated.
User Michael (@TheMG3D), an artist and vocal critic of generative AI, shared a reel that shows how the technology can steal creators’ content and expedite fraud.
The short clip, originally shared by Instagram user SuperAtomicShop (@SuperAtomicShop), was a “splicer” that contrasted the creator’s original video with a near-identical version swiped by an overnight dropshipping operation.
“Who is that? Well, because it’s not me. But it’s my flashlight, my studio, and my clothes,” the shopkeeper began.
“This account stole my reel making fun of AI and replaced me with AI. And they’re trying to use it to sell jewelry. Temu’s jewelry, mind you,” she continued.
“Fucking AI.”
Oddly enough, this isn’t the only recent example of high-profile facial replacements due to AI.
Instagram creator Tatiana Elizabeth (@TatianaElizabethh) was similarly horrified to learn that another creator appropriated her selfie and used photo editing and AI tools to put his head on her body.
From user-generated content on social media to the published works of leading authors, intellectual property is one of the earliest major controversies surrounding generative AI. The model was trained using copyrighted material, among other datasets.
Lack of compensation and loss of revenue are recurring themes as people adopt AI more widely, but this problem wasn’t limited to people in creative careers for long.
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Generative AI is resource-intensive, requiring large data centers to keep churning out what critics call “AI slop.”
Their growing numbers and dependence on public infrastructure has driven up electricity prices across the country by 260%, forcing households to subsidize the profits of tech companies.
Commenters on X shared the original poster’s frustration.
“Gen Ai can only steal. Everyone should always be furious about it,” one person wrote.
“I hope it’s highly illegal. This has happened to multiple people and it’s horrifying,” another replied.
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