Artists boycott Musk's X over new AI image editing feature

Digital artists and illustrators are abandoning Elon Musk’s blogging platform X (formerly Twitter) over the introduction of a new controversial image-editing feature powered by artificial intelligence (AI). According to reports, the creators claimed that the new tool could be used to modify others’ works without their consent.

Reports claimed that the exodus is being led by high-profile artists who have highlighted fears over the rise of intellectual property theft and the potential for harassment through Elon Musk’s Grok AI integration.

The feature is a new “Edit Image” tab that enables any user to select a public image and issue a command to the chatbot via command texts to alter it any way they wish. The Grok AI then generates a new version, which can either be reposted or sent back to the original creator as a reply.

Artists leave X in droves over new image editing feature

One such popular creator championing the boycott is Mu-jik Park, the renowned South Korean artist known by the pen name Boichi. Boichi is the creator of the hit manga series Dr Stone and Sun-Ken Rock.

In a public statement, Park announced that he will be leaving the platform indefinitely. “It is with a heavy and broken heart that I write these words. For the time being, I will pause the publication of my comics and illustrations on X,” Boichi said.

Boichi mentioned that the decision stems from the newly updated edit image feature on X, clearing things in an attached statement. He highlighted that he was not afraid of AI, noting that he believes in its future and potential.

However, he noted that he cannot accept the fact that his works are being used, learned from, or exploited without his consent or proper compensation. He urged his users to follow his Instagram page, noting that he will share them on the platform instead.

Boichi told his followers that he had no plans to leave X, as he would continue to update them on the platform. He also added that he will wait for the day when normalcy is restored on the platform so that he can continue sharing his works with his followers.

His statement was met with words of encouragement from his followers. Some promised to be active on his page on Instagram, while others promised to follow his works across other platforms.

Artists kick against art manipulation with AI

The tension reached a breaking point after an incident involving an artist on X with the account name Iomaya. After posting a paid commissioned art, which was flagged as adult content and had its visibility limited, the work was then hijacked by an anonymous user and altered using the Grok AI tool. In the modified image, the user wrote the word “Luddite,” a word used to describe those who opposed technological progress across the character’s abdomen.

According to reports, the AI-generated versions of art processed using the chatbot have seen users strip away watermarks added by the artists. In Iomaya’s case, the user went on to describe the image as low-quality AI content.

In a statement, Iomaya mentioned that art on X is over, noting that what the anonymous user did to it was disgusting beyond words. The thread has since garnered more than five million views after going viral.

In addition, the post has seen more than 15,000 reposts and gathered a wave of support from well-wishers and the global creative community on X.

The account responsible for manipulating the picture, El3v3nDimesion, appeared to have been targeting multiple creatives and manipulating their works for fun. According to reports, the account, which has now been deactivated, believes that creatives should embrace AI to make art.

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