AI-Generated Art Sparks Intellectual Property Concerns in UAE Amid 'Ghibli' Trend and Elon Musk's Court Battle with Alcon
Published on 4.15.25
The increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in creating artwork has raised concerns about intellectual property rights and originality. In the UAE, artists are expressing worries that the "Ghibli" trend, which involves copying and sharing anime-style artwork using AI tools, is diluting the value of individual creativity.
Zal Junaibi, a Dubai-based writer, notes that fans' admiration for Studio Ghibli's art should not come at the expense of respecting the original artist's intellectual property. Hayao Miyazaki, the creator of the style, would likely object to such uses as they can be seen as a form of theft.
The ease with which AI tools allow for replication of others' work without credit or permission is a major concern. This has been highlighted in a recent court case involving Elon Musk and Alcon, where a US judge ruled that most of Musk's claims against Alcon can proceed due to the use of AI-generated images mimicking Studio Ghibli's style without permission.
This ruling highlights the need for clearer guidelines on intellectual property rights in the context of AI-generated content.