Creative process is deeply personal - it flows from the wellspring of your imagination, emotions, and life experiences. Working with AI gives you the feeling that you've gained an extraordinarily powerful artistic partner. You strike the sparks of inspiration and conceptual vision, while the AI translates your ideas into vivid visuals.
It's a symbiotic dance of human artistry and AI, which wields its techno brilliance like an infinitely adaptable brush. You provide the themed prompts and imaginative direction, and the AI renders it on the digital canvas.
These AI-assisted pieces have evolved from a niche interest to a transformative force in graphic design. This interweaving of human and AI talents births original art - unless, of course, you're simply replicating others' works. That's when the questions arise: can we legally sell AI art? Is AI-generated art protected by copyright?
Can You Sell AI-generated Art?
To put it simply: yes, you can. For example, Etsy’s Seller Handbook allows its users “to use their original prompts in Permitted combination with AI tools to create the artwork” and sell it on their platform. Permitted combinations exclude things from Etsy’s Prohibited Items List, such as hate items, nudity and sexual content, glorifying violence and so on.
Can You Copyright a Modification of AI Art?
No, you cannot. Copying or modifying existing copyrighted works without permission is a no-no. Here's why:
- If your work is based on or substantially similar to existing copyrighted works, it would be considered a derivative work. Typically, it's not allowed under copyright law.
- Copyright protection requires a minimum level of creativity and originality. If the AI-generated image is too similar to existing copyrighted works, it may not meet this threshold.
- There's ongoing debate about whether AI-generated works can be copyrighted at all. That is because many copyright laws require human authorship.
- Using copyrighted material without permission from the rights holder is generally not allowed.
However, you can use AI-generated images under the fair use legal doctrine. This includes purposes such as teaching, research, scholarship, comment, criticism, or news reporting. You should also abide by the Terms and Conditions of the AI generator platform that you chose.
It's always a good idea to read the fine print first. For instance, there is a term in Apple's iTunes agreement, which prohibits using the software to develop nuclear weapons.
Can I Start an AI Art Side Business?
Absolutely, and many people are already doing it while you're reading this article. Some might argue that the days when you could sell an AI-generated portrait of Edmond de Belamy for $432,000 at Christie's are gone. But that doesn't cancel out the digital art’s value and huge profits that people make on Redbubble, ArtStation, and Etsy.
To make a side hustle out of AI-created images, you need to know about AI art and what people want. So what is AI art, and who is AARON?
Pioneering AI Art: The Legacy of AARON
Ever heard of AARON? This artist was creating masterpieces before most of us were even born.
Back in the 1970s, British painter Harold Cohen was way ahead of the curve when he decided to teach a computer how to make art. His brainchild, AARON, was probably the first AI that could create original artworks all by itself.
Its art journey started with abstract squiggles which gradually turned into shapes and forms. Cohen's program then moved on to drawing people, and finally circled back to mind-bending abstract pieces. Sound familiar? That's because it's not too different from how human artists evolve!
AARON wasn't just doodling in some dark corner, either. Its art was on show in Whitney Museum of American Art (Feb 3–May 19, 2024) and is a part of permanent collections in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
But what AARON did was more than just draw pictures. It got artists, philosophers, and scientists thinking about what artificial creativity really is. Can a machine be truly creative? Is AARON's work "real" art? Cohen left these questions open, preferring to let people decide for themselves.
Modern AI: Art for Everyone
While AARON was a trailblazer, making generative art these days is a vastly more accessible endeavor. Tools like Stable Diffusion are empowering anyone with an internet to craft unique visuals by using text prompts.
No more programming skills or having a fine art degree. Stable Diffusion has put the power of artificial intelligence in the hands of the masses. It is now easier than ever to transform your wildest imaginations into digital reality. And there are certain ways to monetize these creative efforts:
Best places to sell AI art
- Sell AI art online on marketplaces. Open an Art Web, Redbubble, Etsy shop and sell your AI-generated art to consumers as digital downloads.
- Uploading to stock image platforms. Adobe Stock, Dreamstime, 123RF, Wirestock, and Vecteezy allow you to upload and sell your AI art as stock images/illustrations.
Using print-on-demand services. Create and sell physical items like mugs, t-shirts, posters, etc. featuring your AI-generated artwork. Many POD platforms collaborate well with AI art marketplaces so you can combine various options.
- AI art in marketing campaigns. Use your AI-created visuals in advertising, media, websites, and other promotional materials.
- Promoting on social networks. Build a following on social media platforms by enhancing your posts with AI art. This can then lead to sales, commissions, and open new collaboration opportunities.
For more strategies on monetizing AI capabilities beyond just art, check out 5 profitable ways to use AI images when you know how to do it.
Business Potential of Machine-Assisted Art
Though it's developing faster than you can say computational creativity, AI art is still in its early stages. While AARON raised deep philosophical questions, today's AI tools are making it accessible to everyone. The key is to use it as a powerful creative partner, not merely replicate existing copyrighted works.
Platforms like Etsy have paved the way for AI artists to make money of their original artwork. Just steer clear of plagiarizing copyrighted material. There are now many services that are viable avenues for turning AI-aided visions into income streams. It's an emerging space with some legal ambiguities, but one that empowers artists to earn from their creativity like never before.
As AI technology continues to evolve and refine, even more opportunities will undoubtedly arise. For now, it's an exciting new frontier, opening up novel creative and entrepreneurial possibilities.
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