DeepSummary
The podcast episode discusses the issues surrounding generative AI models being trained on copyrighted data scraped from the internet without permission or compensation for the creators. Ben Zhao, a computer science professor at the University of Chicago, has developed tools called Glaze and Nightshade to disrupt and 'poison' the training data used by these AI models, acting as a defense for artists and content creators.
Glaze specifically targets image-based fine-tuning, where AI models are trained on samples from individual artists to replicate their styles. Nightshade inserts a 'poison pill' into images and artwork, causing AI models trained on this data to produce distorted outputs, enforcing copyright compliance. The response to these tools has been overwhelming, with creators expressing frustration over tech companies disregarding consent and ownership.
Zhao emphasizes that AI models are not truly creative but merely mimic human creativity based on training data. He warns that replacing human artists could lead to a generation of creatives abandoning their careers, ultimately limiting the quality of training data available to AI. He argues for preserving human creativity and using AI for tasks people don't want to do.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Generative AI models are being trained on copyrighted data scraped from the internet without permission or compensation for creators.
- Ben Zhao developed tools like Glaze and Nightshade to disrupt and 'poison' the training data used by these AI models, acting as a defense for artists and content creators.
- Nightshade embeds a 'poison pill' into images and artwork, causing AI models trained on this data to produce distorted outputs, enforcing copyright compliance.
- AI models are not truly creative but merely mimic human creativity based on training data.
- Replacing human artists with AI could lead to a generation of creatives abandoning their careers, ultimately limiting the quality of training data available to AI.
- Preserving human creativity and using AI for tasks people don't want to do is important.
- There is a power imbalance between content creators and AI companies, with no way for creators to validate if their work is being used without consent.
- The response to Zhao's tools has been overwhelming, with creators expressing frustration over tech companies disregarding consent and ownership.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “Before Nightshade came about, it is important to note that there was literally no defense, no real defense against AI and AI training.“ by Ben Zhao
- “So what nightshade does is basically it says, we don't necessarily have to trust you. Whether you said you've opted out or whether you've stopped training on a particular set of data, it will be embedded in the data itself.“ by Ben Zhao
- “So there's no enforcement, there's no validation of any sort. And that's the fundamental problem today, is that there is this gross imbalance in the power dynamic between content creators and owners and these AI training companies.“ by Ben Zhao
- “And AI will always be playing catch up. And of course, right now, AI is disrupting all these creative industries where they are trying to replace humans.“ by Ben Zhao
- “We should be having AI do the kind of jobs that we don't want, not take away the jobs that people really want to do.“ by Ben Zhao
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Episode Information
SHIFT
SHIFT
6/5/24
A team of computer scientists at the University of Chicago has built tools that let artists poison the training data embedded in their work, and fight back against those who scrape the internet to build generative AI models.
We Meet:
Nightshade Creator Ben Zhao, Neubauer Professor of Computer Science at the University of Chicago
Credits:
This episode of SHIFT was produced by Jennifer Strong with help from Emma Cillekens. It was mixed by Garret Lang, with original music from him and Jacob Gorski. Art by Anthony Green.