An AI-created image has gone viral, shared nearly 50 million times on Instagram, depicting a camp partially covered in shadows with a mountain range rising in the backdrop, and thousands of aligned barracks dominating the visual space. Boldly centered are the words “All Eyes on Rafah.”
The image became widely circulated following a devastating night on May 26th, when Israeli forces struck a displaced persons camp in Rafah, resulting in the death of 45 individuals and injuries to 249, as reported by Hamas Health Ministry. The strikes, later referred to as a “tragic mistake” by Benjamin Netanyahu, sparked an international outcry.
Now, two Malaysians, Zila Abka and Amirul Shah, find themselves in a conflict over who essentially owns the creation. Zila Abka, an amateur AI art enthusiast and a science teacher, and Amirul Shah, a student and photographer, both claim to have created the image. Celebrities like Bella Hadid, Lewis Hamilton, and Dua Lipa are some of the notable figures who have shared the image from Amirul Shah’s account. Yet, Abka points out that she generated a strikingly similar image using Microsoft’s Image Creator, which she claimed to NPR was inspired by a February 14, 2024, speech by Rik Peeperkorn, a WHO representative in Gaza. Shah’s version, which misses Abka’s name and the AI-generated tag, leaves the origin of the image vague.
Despite their disagreement, both creators agree that the spread of the message takes precedence over authorship credit. Abka suggested gratitude towards anyone who helps raise awareness, while Shah emphasized his goal was justice for Palestinians in Rafah.
Controversy Surrounding the Image’s Nature and Impact has also emerged. Some netizens lament that the artificial and “sanitized” image has eclipsed real photographs shared by Gazans, as Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh, an Irish lawyer, highlighted the unprecedented nature of the victims broadcasting their plight in real-time. Actress Rachel Zegler shared her discomfort on Instagram, noting the reliance on an AI image to express support for Palestine neglected the true severity of the human suffering.
Some argue that the artificial nature of the image bypassed social media censorship, enabling its widespread dissemination. Media experts Anastasia Kavada and Felix Simon believe that the timing of the viral spread, post-May 26, capitalized on a collective shock, thus amplifying its reach.
Importance of Defining AI-Created Content Ownership
With AI-generated images gaining popularity, there is an urgent need to define the legal framework for ownership and copyright of such creations. As traditional copyright laws were crafted with human creators in mind, they may not be fully equipped to handle the nuances that arise from content made by AI. The ownership dispute between Zyla Abka and Amirul Shah illustrates the complexity and challenges faced when defining authorship for AI-generated art.
Challenges and Controversies
A key challenge in such disputes is determining whether the code creator, the person who inputs the prompts, or even the AI program itself, should be afforded copyright claims. This challenge is magnified when such images have significant social and political impacts, as their use can potentially shape public opinion and movements.
Another controversy centers on the ethical implications of using AI to represent human suffering. While AI-generated images can evade social media censorship and potentially reach wider audiences, they also raise questions about the representation of genuine human experiences.
Advantages and Disadvantages
One advantage of AI-generated images is their ability to circumvent censorship and graphic content guidelines on social media platforms. This can help in highlighting issues that may otherwise be overlooked or hidden. Additionally, AI can produce compelling visuals quickly and at a lower cost than traditional methods.
Conversely, the disadvantages include the risk of diminishing the perceived authenticity and emotional impact of real photographs. There is also the potential to spread misinformation inadvertently if the origins and nature of such images are not made clear.
To gain a broader understanding of AI technology and its implications, readers may visit the Microsoft AI website for more information on their AI-related projects. It is crucial to verify the authenticity of this link and ensure that it is recent and unchanged to ensure a safe redirection to the legitimate main domain without leading to any subpages.
The source of the article is from the blog mgz.com.tw