ByteDance says it will add safeguards to AI video tool Seedance 2.0 following Hollywood backlash

ByteDance has announced plans to enhance safeguards for its AI video tool, Seedance 2.0, in response to significant backlash from Hollywood and legal threats from Disney. The company, which owns TikTok, released Seedance 2.0 recently, and it has quickly drawn criticism for allegedly infringing on copyrights. The Human Artistry Campaign, which includes members from SAG-AFTRA and the Directors Guild of America, has condemned the AI model, labeling it as “destructive to culture” and a tool for blatant copyright infringement (Deadline, TechCrunch). Disney has taken a particularly strong stance against Seedance 2.0, sending a cease-and-desist letter to ByteDance. The letter accuses the company of using a "pirated library" of Disney's copyrighted characters, including those from the Star Wars and Marvel franchises, to train its AI model. Disney claims that Seedance 2.0 has generated videos featuring characters like Spider-Man and Darth Vader without permission, which they argue amounts to a "virtual smash-and-grab" of their intellectual property (South China Morning Post, Engadget). Despite the praise for Seedance 2.0's capabilities, the tool has already faced multiple cease-and-desist letters regarding copyright infringement. A viral clip featuring AI-generated versions of Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt fighting has further fueled outrage among artists and industry professionals (Engadget). In light of these concerns, ByteDance stated that it is taking steps to strengthen safeguards to prevent unauthorized use of intellectual property and likeness by users, although specific details on these measures have not been provided (Engadget).