As generative AI rapidly advances, the internet is flooded with content mimicking existing styles, escalating copyright disputes. Sony is reportedly developing a technology called "Protective AI" to curb infringing AI-generated content at its source and explore potential compensation mechanisms for original creators.
According to foreign media reports, the project is led by Sony AI, the company's artificial intelligence R&D division, and is currently in the research and development phase. The core concept of this system is to teach AI "what not to generate."
To achieve this, Sony is specifically using animated works from Studio Ghibli as training material. This allows the model to identify and avoid highly similar styles and content, preventing users from generating unauthorized imitations through prompts.
In recent years, "Ghibli-style" images have circulated widely on social media platforms, with AI tools easily replicating the visual language of classics like "Spirited Away" (千と千尋の神隠し) and "Princess Mononoke" (もののけ姫). This has raised questions about creative boundaries and copyright ownership. Sony's initiative is seen as the first attempt by a major content company to address these issues through technological means.
Beyond preventing infringement, another key objective of Protective AI is to establish a creator compensation mechanism. In the future, if AI-generated content involves specific artistic styles or materials, the system could potentially track the source and return revenue to the original creators. However, Sony has not yet detailed the specific implementation methods or business model.
Sony AI states that artificial intelligence should be developed in a "responsible, fair, and transparent" manner, and this technology is part of realizing that philosophy. Given that the Sony Group encompasses vast content assets including games, music, movies, and animation, the successful implementation of Protective AI would help protect the rights of numerous creators while redefining the relationship between AI and the creative industry.
via： 日本経済新聞