The Copyright Battle Over AI-Generated Art

The legal system is grappling with the question of who owns the output of AI programs that produce creative works, such as art, music, and text. While some argue that users and owners of AI systems should be able to get copyrights, others fiercely oppose granting copyrights to AI owners or users, claiming that the algorithms are gobbling up legally protected material without permission. The U.S. Copyright Office has denied legal protection for AI art, citing rulings that an author has to be a human being. However, artists and companies are testing the limits of the law, and legal experts say billions of dollars could hinge on the answer.