Leading Hollywood screenwriter sounds alarm on TikTok’s AI tool: ‘It’s likely the end for us’

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A new AI video generator developed by TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, is facing strong criticism from Hollywood groups. They accuse the tool, named Seedance 2.0, of clear copyright violations and the unauthorized use of actors’ likenesses.

Currently accessible only in China, Seedance 2.0 allows the creation of high-quality video content from simple text descriptions. The film and television industry was swift to denounce the technology.

The Motion Picture Association stated that Seedance 2.0 has been involved in the “unauthorized use of U.S. copyrighted works on a massive scale.”

MPA Chairman and CEO Charles Rivkin said in a Tuesday statement, “By launching a service that operates without meaningful safeguards against infringement, ByteDance is disregarding well-established copyright law that protects the rights of creators and underpins millions of American jobs. ByteDance should immediately cease its infringing activity.”

Screenwriter Rhett Rheese commented on social media last week, “I hate to say it. It’s likely over for us.” His remark was a reaction to a video posted by director Ruairí Robinson, which featured AI-generated depictions of Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt battling in a post-apocalyptic setting, created with Seedance 2.0.

The actors’ union SAG-AFTRA announced on Friday that it “stands with the studios in condemning the blatant infringement” made possible by Seedance 2.0.

“The infringement includes the unauthorized use of our members’ voices and likenesses. This is unacceptable and undercuts the ability of human talent to earn a livelihood,” SAG-AFTRA said. “Seedance 2.0 disregards law, ethics, industry standards and basic principles of consent. Responsible AI development demands responsibility, and that is nonexistent here.”

In a Sunday statement, ByteDance affirmed its respect for intellectual property rights.

“We have heard the concerns regarding Seedance 2.0. We are taking steps to strengthen current safeguards as we work to prevent the unauthorized use of intellectual property and likeness by users,” the company stated.