Professional designers are divided about Disney Plus's "Loki" season 2 poster. There are claims that generative AI had a significant influence on the poster's design.
On X (formerly Twitter), illustrator Katria Raden brought attention to the issue last week by pointing out inconsistencies in the image that she alleged were caused by artificial intelligence, particularly in the spiraling clock backdrop, according to The Verge.
Raden's views have sparked worries within the creative world, especially regarding the unlawful use of AI picture producers, which may diminish the significance of human artists. Disney was previously criticized for using generative AI in projects like Marvel's "Secret Invasion," despite Disney's assertions that AI would not replace human creators, per The Hindu.
Loki Poster Image Confirmed as AI-generated
Raden and other X users have noted that the backdrop of the Loki poster looks to be a replica of a photograph from Shutterstock with the title "Surreal Infinity Time Spiral Space Antique." Any lingering concerns regarding the stock image's AI-generated provenance were allayed when user @thepokeflutist, who bought it, confirmed that it was posted on Shutterstock this year. Additionally, multiple AI image analysis algorithms classified the Shutterstock image as AI-generated.
According to Shutterstock's contributor standards, AI-generated material cannot be published on their site unless it was made with their in-house AI-image generator tool, which ensures IP ownership verification. Shutterstock, however, has not answered The Verge's questions about this particular image.
The Loki poster controversy has not been addressed in an official statement by Disney.
Madly disappointed they're using AI generated imagery to promote Loki. https://t.co/SFhWpQfWE7
— Katria (@katriaraden) October 3, 2023
According to Disney, Loki's second season premiere was the second-most-viewed season launch on Disney+ in 2023, which is a fantastic accomplishment for the series. Loki, which starred Tom Hiddleston as the crafty God of Mischief, attracted an astonishing 10.9 million global views in its first three days of Disney+ streaming.
Only The Mandalorian's third season premiere, which debuted on Disney+ in March, outperformed this stunning comeback of the Marvel Studios series last Thursday.
Both audiences and reviewers recognize Loki's appeal. On the review website Rotten Tomatoes, Loki's second season has a whopping 88% approval rating, giving it the coveted "Certified Fresh" seal. On the same site, it also has a remarkable 94% audience approval rating.
Artists Rally Against AI
The continuing discussion about AI's place in the creative sector is furthered by this criticism of Loki's second-season poster. Concerned that its AI image-generation tool will use their work without their knowledge or agreement, visual artists in China recently organized a boycott of a prominent social media site.
WION reported that one artist observed startling similarities between her original artwork and AI-generated images created by the social media platform's Trik AI tool, which led to the uproar. The platform has not, however, revealed which works of art were utilized to train the AI model.
In August, TechTimes reported that three artists sued AI system developers that could generate fresh graphics on demand to preserve their intellectual property and livelihoods. The case, pending a federal court decision in San Francisco, has sparked debates over whether AI corporations violate copyrights by processing large amounts of data and providing unique results.
This legal issue serves as a reminder of the difficult task facing artists in preventing AI developers from making money off of their original creations.
