[AI Artist Strikes Back]③"Let's Return Control of AI to Creators"...Anti-AI Initiatives

Cookie Place, Operator of the Commission Platform 'Crepe'
Protecting the Illustration Industry with an Anti-AI Project
Aiming to Block Unauthorized AI Copying and Restore Customer Trust

Editor's NoteWe live in an era where even the style of Japanese Ghibli animation can be generated by ChatGPT. The illustration industry has suddenly found itself at the forefront of an 'AI-driven transformation.' Through the daily changes experienced by illustrators confronting AI, we offer a preview of a world of professions that could soon become our reality?jobs that may be replaced by AI.

To protect the illustration industry from the relentless market penetration of AI, the domestic tech startup Cookie Place has launched Korea's first anti-AI project. Cookie Place operates Crepe, a platform that brokers more than 20,000 illustration commissions per day.

Meeting at Cookie Place's Hongdae headquarters, Co-CEO Jang Donghyun explained that he recognized the seriousness of AI's impact on the illustration industry and initiated the anti-AI project called the "Butlerian Project." Jang added, "We are likely the only ones who have started a project to protect creators from AI."

Jang Donghyun Co-CEO and Nam Sunwoo Co-CEO. Cookieplace

The Butlerian Project focuses on three main areas: ▲Protecting illustrators' copyrights by applying a subtle 'digital filter' to their works to block unauthorized AI training, ▲Preventing the sale of AI-generated images disguised as illustrator works by using programs that identify AI art, and ▲Creating and distributing a universal manual to mediate disputes between illustrators and clients.

Jang stated, "Since the filter that blocks unauthorized AI image training was developed through academic research, our focus is not on research but on testing and commercializing existing programs." He added, "We plan to introduce the anti-AI filter as early as this year, or at the latest, by next year."

Regular image (left) and image with anti-AI filter applied. They look identical to the eye, but when the anti-AI filter is applied, the pixels in the data file change, making AI training virtually impossible. Cookieplace

Although Cookie Place has adopted an 'anti-AI' stance, this does not mean the company rejects AI outright. Jang explained, "AI is just a tool to assist work, like Photoshop," and emphasized, "Our goal is to ensure that humans retain control over AI."

"It is people who instruct AI to copy illustrators' works or deceive others by selling AI-generated images as original art. The person using the tool must maintain control and use AI responsibly."

The decision to name the anti-AI project 'Butlerian' also reflects the intention to hold humans accountable for how they use AI. Jang explained, "The name Butlerian is inspired by the Butlerian Jihad from the science fiction novel and film 'Dune.' In the distant future, humans are divided into pro- and anti-AI factions, and ultimately, the anti-AI faction defeats the pro-AI side. That was the inspiration for our project."

Cookie Place Headquarters. Cookie Place

Jang said, "If the concept of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) emerges, even creators could be replaced," suggesting that in the distant future, AI could replace humans even in the arts. However, he explained that no matter how sophisticated AI-generated images become, illustrators will still have a competitive edge as long as AI cannot resonate with customers' sensibilities.

"'Ghibli animation' is essentially the life of its creator, Hayao Miyazaki. If you remove that context and AI merely imitates the artwork, for Ghibli fans, it is an insult to the original. I believe this is where human creators still have a competitive advantage."