After spooking Hollywood, ByteDance will tweak safeguards on new AI model
Major studios are suing over AI-generated Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt fight scenes.
Deep Dive
ByteDance is scrambling to add safeguards to its Seedance 2.0 AI video generator after Disney and Paramount sent cease-and-desist letters. The studios allege the model is illegally reproducing their characters and actors' likenesses at a 'massive scale.' Viral videos included hyperrealistic scenes with Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, and characters from Dragon Ball Z and Pokémon. Hollywood trade groups SAG-AFTRA and the MPA have also condemned the tool for copyright infringement.
Why It Matters
This legal battle sets a major precedent for how AI companies must handle copyrighted material and actor likenesses.