ChatGPT is adding real cartoonists' signatures to fake New Yorker cartoons (www.niemanlab.org)

ChatGPT has sparked controversy by generating New Yorker-style cartoons that include the signatures of real cartoonists without their consent. A notable example involved a viral cartoon featuring Dolly Parton and Tim Curry, which bore the signature "BLOPER," belonging to New Yorker contributor Brendan Loper. Loper was taken aback to find his signature attributed to work he did not create, stating it felt like a violation of his identity. This issue highlights broader concerns within the AI/ML community regarding copyright and ethical conduct in AI training, particularly as many cartoonists have discovered their names and styles being appropriated by generative models like ChatGPT. The implications are significant, as the misuse of signatures undermines the integrity and ownership that artists associate with their work. Loper and other cartoonists argue that this not only encroaches on their intellectual property but also threatens their livelihoods, especially as some newspapers begin to replace human artists with AI-generated content. OpenAI has acknowledged the issue, adjusting its model to reflect potential violations when asked to generate similar content. However, questions remain about the legal ramifications of these practices, with experts suggesting potential grounds for copyright or publicity rights cases. This situation underscores the urgent need for clearer regulations surrounding AI-generated content and artists’ rights as the technology continues to evolve.