Getty Images bans AI-generated content

Getty Images bans AI-generated content due to concerns over copyright issues and legal risks for users. Other providers like Shutterstock and FurAffinity are also making similar decisions or revising their policies. Removing AI-generated material may be challenging, but Getty Images will rely on user reports and collaborate with organizations like Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2) to address the issue.

Fearing (possible future) copyright issues, Getty Images bans AI-generated content on its platform and joins other big providers in introducing such a ban. Getty Images is one of the largest repositories of stock and archival photographs and illustrations providers.

Getty Images CEO Craig Peters told The Verge that the decision to impose the ban was made out of concern for the copyright (legality) of AI-generated material, as well as a desire to safeguard the site’s users. As Ai’s artwork could put users at legal risk, Peters added that they ‘are being proactive to the benefit of our customers’.

Other providers of stock photography and AI-generated work have made similar decisions, or are in the process of changing their policies of distributing the content in question, including, FurAffinity, Shutterstock Newgrounds, PurplePort, and FurAffinity.

Shutterstock is reportedly limiting some searches for AI content but without any further guidance or specific policies. Meanwhile, FurAffinity said it banned AI content because it undermined the work of human artists.  

It could be challenging to remove AI material, and according to Getty Images CEO Craig Peters, the company will rely on users to find and report those types of images. He further noted they would be working on removing those materials in collaboration with Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA).