ChatGPT is not only using New Yorker cartoonists' style but also adding their signatures to the fake cartoons it creates, which have gone viral on social media

AI image generators are now replicating and misattributing your signature, which was previously your unique identifier.

ChatGPT is generating fake New Yorker-style cartoons and, in many instances, is adding the authentic signatures of real New Yorker cartoonists to these AI-generated images. These fake cartoons, often featuring nonsensical captions or mimicking the stylistic hallmarks of the magazine's humor, have circulated widely on social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Cartoonists like Brendan Loper have reported receiving inquiries about these unauthorized works, expressing a sense of personal violation due to the false attribution and the use of their names as brand identifiers. At least 15 New Yorker cartoonists, spanning decades of publication, have had their signatures reproduced by OpenAI's image generator without permission or compensation. OpenAI has acknowledged the issue as unintended behavior and a bug, stating they are working to address it, and has begun to display a warning message for prompts related to this style.

The unauthorized use of cartoonist signatures by AI models highlights a critical legal and ethical challenge in generative AI: the appropriation of individual artistic identity and intellectual property. While OpenAI states its focus is on empowering human creativity, the reproduction of signatures, which serve as a mark of authenticity and a brand for artists in the digital age, suggests a failure in its content moderation and data training processes. The situation raises serious questions about fair use, copyright infringement, and the potential for AI to dilute or usurp the personal brand that artists cultivate.

This development signals a new frontier in the conflict between AI developers and content creators, moving beyond mere style imitation to direct impersonation of an artist's identity. The fact that Condé Nast, The New Yorker's parent company, has a licensing deal with OpenAI, yet claims no permission was granted for AI training on its cartoons, further complicates the landscape. It suggests that current licensing agreements may not adequately cover the nuances of AI training data, potentially necessitating new contractual frameworks to protect artists and publishers from such violations.