AI Image Generation and Copyright: Ethical Considerations for Christians

AI image generation technology recently sparked another round of controversy. A major AI company launched an improved version of its image-generation capabilities, allowing users to create images mimicking the distinctive styles of renowned artists and studios. While AI platforms have created images for years, the latest technology enables users to manipulate pictures with precision approaching that of human artists. Once again, AI technology is pushing ethical boundaries, so how can Christians think critically about these challenges?

Ethical Questions

Several ethical questions emerge in light of this advancing technology. First, what is the relationship between a creator and their creation? In Genesis 1:26-28, Holy Scripture reveals that God created humans in His image. God immediately commissions humans to reflect His creativity through the work of procreation and subduing the rest of creation. Genesis reveals there is a connectedness between one's work and one's identity as an image-bearer. This connection is profound because one's work is part of one's identity (not one's whole identity, but a significant part). Thus, it does seem that one's creative work is an extension of oneself.

The philosopher John Locke saw one's connection to work as vital to human flourishing. Locke believed that one's work and the proceeds from one's work were essential to human dignity. For this reason, the U.S. Constitution saw protecting property rights as critical to maintaining life and liberty. Thus, the United States and other Western nations have sought to maintain strong copyright laws to protect intellectual property.

However, AI is pushing against copyright laws and autonomy rights. For instance, AI systems are being trained to replicate distinctive artistic styles without the creators' consent. From a property rights perspective, training AI on an artist's style without consent seems to violate their authority over their artistic work. However, from a cultural perspective, artistic styles have historically flowed freely between creators' styles and genres.

Second, AI is trained with such accuracy that detecting deepfakes will be increasingly difficult. With AI models learning from a large number of images and prompts, deepfakes are becoming more realistic. This poses the question of using a creator's style to make offensive and harmful images. Technology company CEOs have denounced using AI to create harmful content. But their words are not always reassuring when they speak of "putting intellectual freedom and control in the hands of users." While technology is a product of human creativity, we also know that sin affects how tech is used; thus, "putting control in the hands of users" is not entirely reassuring.

The Dilemma

Nevertheless, using AI to create images in established artistic styles is not as straightforward as one may think. When artists create a "style" or a "genre" and share it publicly for decades, the situation becomes complex. This is not to say that artists sacrifice their copyright privileges for public domain rights (there is a distinct legal difference between them). But whenever a design or style is out on display, it seems impossible to stop people from copying the form. This is why we say imitation is the highest form of flattery.

But this raises the key question: "What rights do creators have over the styles and genres they create?" While scripture is clear that it is immoral to steal a person's property (Exodus 20:15), it is not entirely clear what rights individuals have over classes and forms.

Moreover, the command to subdue and have dominion includes the work of creating beauty, and beauty is communal. Artists want their work viewed, writers wish to be read, and musicians want to be heard, which inevitably leads to deviations and imitations. Creative work seems to build upon previous work. While each artist provides a slight deviation, one genre inspires another (Elvis was a deviation of B.B. King and Fats Domino). In this sense, AI might increase human imagination and thus open the doors to newer forms of art, which may enhance our calling as culture-makers. Since artistic beauty is usually made for public consumption, is it reasonable to claim ownership rights over the genre of beauty that is created?

Christian Thought

So, what questions can Christians begin to ask about using AI and images? First, Christians should take care not to violate the eighth commandment. We should avoid using AI to circumvent paywalls, steal content, plagiarize, or alter images of another without consent (I understand we are all public people in a media age, but respect for God's image should make us stop and consider how we present others).

Second, how are we using aesthetics or styles others created to enhance beauty? There is debate about whether or not beauty should be considered a virtue. Plato and Aristotle argued that beauty reflected goodness and harmony; thus, beauty is essential to a virtuous life. Beauty invites Christians to reflect on God's goodness and glory. Therefore, if one uses another's style to alter images, one ought to ask if this enhances beauty, drawing me to dwell on God's goodness, enhancing my love of God and neighbor, or does this take away and diminish? Using styles and aesthetics that dehumanize, objectify, humiliate, or otherwise draw away from goodness, truth, and beauty ought to be avoided.

Third, Christians should ask themselves what is the end goal of using AI to manipulate images. What is my purpose in making an AI-stylized image of myself or another? What am I hoping to communicate? Am I seeking to alter how I perceive myself? Or how others perceive me? Am I seeking to detach into a virtual world to escape the physical? Or does this, in some way, creatively communicate God's ultimate command to promote flourishing and goodness?

Undoubtedly, AI's challenges will continue to dominate the headlines. Christians need to accept that this technology is impacting every sphere of life. Therefore, we need to make every effort to think carefully and biblically before haphazardly using every available tool.