Exposing Furry SCAMMERS on Etsy

Nightzy
17 Feb 202416:03

TLDRThe video discusses the issue of AI-generated art scams on Etsy, particularly within the furry fandom. It highlights how scammers use AI to create characters and adoptables without disclosing their origin, misleading buyers into thinking they are purchasing original art. The video also touches on the ethical concerns of using AI, which is trained on artists' works, and the potential legal issues regarding the ownership of AI-generated art.

Takeaways

  • 🚨 The furry fandom and AI art community face a problem with scams on platforms like Etsy, where AI-generated art is sold as original works.
  • 💡 Wacom, a leading drawing tablet company, faced backlash for promoting AI art, which contradicts their business model based on supporting artists.
  • 🤖 AI art generators are capable of producing a large volume of varying styles, often with inconsistencies and errors that a human artist would not make.
  • 🎨 Many buyers are unaware that they are purchasing AI-generated art, believing it to be handcrafted by artists, leading to disappointment and a feeling of being misled.
  • 💸 Some sellers on Etsy charge high prices for AI-generated art, with one example being a $410 bundle for character ref sheets and detailed avatars.
  • 📜 The legality of owning AI-generated art is complicated, with the US copyright office refusing to register copyrights for AI-generated images, questioning true ownership.
  • 🚫 AI-generated art is seen as morally bankrupt by some, as it is based on stolen assets from other artists' works without their consent.
  • 🌐 The presence of AI art in the furry community threatens to push out real artists and devalue the importance of original, handcrafted artwork.
  • 🛍️ Supporting real artists and avoiding AI-generated art can help maintain the integrity of the furry community and its appreciation for creativity and craftsmanship.
  • 📢 Awareness and education about the differences between AI-generated and original art can help protect both artists and consumers in the furry fandom and beyond.

Q & A

  • What issue is the video addressing in the furry fandom and AI art community?

    -The video addresses the problem of AI-generated art being sold as original work within the furry fandom and AI art community, specifically calling out those who do not disclose the use of AI in their art creation.

  • How did the speaker discover the issue of AI art on Etsy?

    -The speaker stumbled upon listings on Etsy while searching, which displayed telltale signs of being AI-generated, such as inconsistencies in design and an impossibly large number of detailed pieces.

  • What was the main concern regarding Wacom's promotion featuring AI art?

    -The main concern was that Wacom, a company built on its relationship with artists, promoted a non-artist image generated by AI, which contradicts its entire business model.

  • What are some red flags indicating AI-generated art according to the video?

    -Red flags include an excessive number of highly detailed pieces, inconsistencies in anatomy, strange object placements, and a lack of clear disclosure about the use of AI in the art creation process.

  • What is the speaker's opinion on the value of AI-generated art?

    -The speaker considers AI-generated art to be soulless and worthless, as it lacks the originality and creativity of hand-drawn art by real artists.

  • Are people actually purchasing AI-generated art on Etsy?

    -Yes, people are purchasing AI-generated art on Etsy, as evidenced by the reviews and sales figures mentioned in the video.

  • What is the speaker's stance on the legality of owning AI-generated art?

    -The speaker is unsure about the legality and encourages viewers to do their own research, noting that AI-generated art has faced challenges in obtaining copyright protection.

  • How does the use of AI in art impact real artists according to the video?

    -The use of AI in art is pushing out real artists, as AI-generated works often overshadow original creations in platforms like Etsy, and it is morally questionable as AI models are trained on other people's art.

  • What is the speaker's suggestion to support the art community?

    -The speaker suggests supporting real artists by purchasing their original works and avoiding AI-generated art, which they refer to as 'heartless garbage'.

  • How does the video address the issue of AI art using copyrighted material?

    -The video mentions instances where AI art has included copyrighted characters like Darth Vader, suggesting that AI-generated works may be infringing on copyrights.

  • What does the speaker promote in their clothing shop?

    -The speaker promotes items created in collaboration with real artists, such as a loaf Cat plush, a full moon t-shirt designed by Fair Wilder, and a reversible sweater.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 The Issue with AI Art in the Furry Fandom

The paragraph discusses the problem of AI-generated art within the furry fandom and the broader art community. It criticizes the lack of creativity in using AI art generators and highlights a recent incident where Wacom, a leading drawing tablet company, tweeted a promotion featuring AI-generated art. The speaker points out the flaws in the AI-generated image, such as anatomical inaccuracies and a failure to remove the white background. The incident led to the deletion of the tweet and sparked a discussion about the prevalence of AI art scams on Etsy, where sellers use AI-generated art to deceive buyers into believing they are purchasing original works from real artists.

05:02

💸 The Financial Impact of AI Art Scams

This paragraph delves into the financial aspect of AI art scams, particularly on Etsy. It describes how one artist, under the suspicious name of 'Robo Render,' sells AI-generated art at high prices without disclosing that the art is not hand-drawn. The speaker criticizes the lack of transparency and the misleading nature of these sales, which欺骗 buyers into thinking they are supporting original art. The paragraph also reviews customer feedback, which reveals that many buyers are unaware that they are purchasing AI-generated art, and the speaker laments the lost opportunity to support real artists instead.

10:03

🚫 The Ethical and Legal Concerns of AI Art

The paragraph addresses the ethical and legal concerns surrounding AI art, emphasizing the community's foundation on creativity and the potential undermining of this principle by AI-generated content. The speaker argues that AI art, which is trained on the works of real artists, can be seen as theft and morally bankrupt. It also raises the question of ownership and copyright for AI-generated art, citing instances where the US copyright office has refused to register copyrights for such works. The paragraph highlights the ongoing debate and legal complexities surrounding AI art and its impact on the artistic community.

15:03

🌟 Supporting Real Artists in the Furry Community

In the final paragraph, the speaker advocates for the support of real artists within the furry community and promotes a safe space for original art. The speaker expresses frustration with AI-generated art for its soullessness and the negative impact it has on the community. They contrast this with the value of hand-drawn art and highlight their own efforts to collaborate with artists to create authentic merchandise. The video concludes with a call to action for viewers to support genuine artists and maintain the integrity of the community.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Furry fandom

The furry fandom is a subculture interested in anthropomorphic animal characters with human personalities and characteristics. In the video, the problem within this subculture is highlighted, specifically the use of AI-generated art which is seen as a threat to the authenticity and creativity of the community.

💡AI art

AI art refers to artwork that is created with the assistance of artificial intelligence, often through the use of algorithms and machine learning. In the context of the video, AI art is seen as a controversial practice within the furry fandom because it may not involve the same level of human creativity and effort as traditional art.

💡Scams

Scams are fraudulent schemes or deceptions designed to cheat people, often for financial gain. In the video, the term is used to describe the practice of selling AI-generated art as if it were original work, which is seen as dishonest and misleading to buyers.

💡Wacom

Wacom is a company known for its pen tablets and pen display hardware, widely used by artists for digital art creation. The video mentions a controversial promotion by Wacom that featured AI-generated art, which was criticized as it goes against the company's business model依托艺术家。

💡Etsy

Etsy is an e-commerce website focused on handmade or vintage items and craft supplies. In the video, Etsy is the platform where AI-generated art is being sold under the pretense of original artistry, causing a problem for the furry fandom and the art community at large.

💡Robo render

Robo render is a term used in the video to describe AI-generated art that mimics the style of hand-drawn furry art. The term is used pejoratively to highlight the lack of originality and authenticity in such AI-generated works.

💡Character ref sheets

Character ref sheets are detailed illustrations that showcase a character's design from various angles, often including different outfits or expressions. In the video, these are the products being sold on Etsy, with the controversy lying in whether they are genuinely hand-drawn or AI-generated.

💡Upscaling

Upscaling refers to the process of increasing the resolution of an image, often to enhance its quality or detail. In the context of the video, upscaling is mentioned as a service offered by AI art sellers, but the speaker questions the value of this when the base image is generated by AI and lacks the artistry of human creation.

💡Copyright

Copyright is a legal right that grants creators exclusive rights to their original works, including the right to reproduce, distribute, and display the work. The video discusses the complexities of copyright in relation to AI-generated art, questioning the ownership and originality of such works.

💡Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence, or AI, refers to the development of computer systems that can perform tasks typically requiring human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, and problem-solving. In the video, AI is used to create art, which raises ethical concerns about originality and the potential devaluation of human artistry.

💡Community

In the context of the video, 'community' refers to the group of individuals who share a common interest, in this case, the furry fandom. The speaker is concerned about the impact of AI-generated art on this community, which is built on the values of creativity and support for artists.

Highlights

The furry fandom faces a problem with AI-generated art being sold as original works.

Wacom, a leading drawing tablet company, faced backlash for promoting AI art which goes against their artist-based business model.

AI art generators are criticized for lacking creativity and producing low-quality, error-prone images.

Some Etsy sellers use AI art to create and sell furry characters without disclosing the use of AI.

AI-generated art often lacks details and consistency, showing signs like misplaced body parts and incorrect anatomy.

Despite the low quality, some customers are purchasing AI-generated art, believing it to be original.

Reviews on these AI-generated art products show a mix of positive feedback and concerns about the use of AI.

The use of AI in art has sparked debates about the value of original artwork and the ethics of using AI.

AI art generators are trained on existing artworks, raising questions about copyright infringement and artistic integrity.

The US copyright office has refused to register copyrights for AI-generated images, citing human creation as a requirement for protection.

The legality of owning AI-generated characters is uncertain, with copyright laws still evolving.

AI-generated art can unintentionally include copyrighted material, leading to potential legal issues.

Supporting real artists and avoiding AI-generated art is encouraged to maintain the value and authenticity of the art community.

The video creator promotes their own clothing shop, which features original designs by real artists.

The video serves as a call to action for the furry community to recognize and support genuine artistic talent over AI-generated content.