Senators tell ByteDance to shut down Seedance 2.0 AI video app 'immediately' (www.engadget.com)

US Senators Marsha Blackburn and Peter Welch have urged ByteDance to "immediately shut down" its new Seedance 2.0 AI video generator, which was recently paused globally due to concerns over intellectual property theft. The senators express apprehension that the app threatens core economic rights and the livelihoods of creative professionals, citing examples of AI-generated content that mimics copyrighted characters and storylines without appropriate authorization. They emphasize the need for adherence to intellectual property laws and protections for artistic work as essential responsibilities for global companies. In response, ByteDance has stated its commitment to respecting intellectual property rights and is implementing measures to prevent unauthorized use of creators' works. However, the senators have dismissed this as a mere "delay tactic," indicating a broader apprehension regarding AI models training on copyrighted material. Additionally, the Motion Picture Association has taken action against Seedance 2.0 with a cease-and-desist letter. A newly proposed bipartisan bill aims to enhance protections for artists by granting them access to the training datasets used for AI models, highlighting the growing tension between technological innovation and intellectual property rights in the AI/ML landscape.