Google’s Gemini 2.0 Flash AI model has demonstrated remarkable capability in removing watermarks from images, including those created by human artists. While watermarking serves to establish ownership and prevent copyright infringement, the ease with which Gemini circumvents these protections raises significant ethical concerns. Currently, Gemini is available for free, and its lack of restrictions on watermark removal could lead to widespread misuse of this technology. The respect for intellectual property rights has been a contentious issue in AI training, with many creators accusing tech companies of using their work without permission.
This issue is further complicated by the media generated by AI models, which can easily manipulate other watermarked content. Google’s Gemini 2.0 Flash, as one of the company’s latest lightweight AI releases, has been found particularly adept at erasing watermarks from images. While the efficacy of watermarking AI-generated images with identifying EXIF data remains a minor concern, the removal of watermarks from real human-created images poses a more significant threat. Watermarking is essential for establishing ownership and dissuading copyright infringement, allowing stock media outlets to help creators earn a living from their work.
US copyright law generally prohibits watermark removal without the consent of the original owner. Reports indicate that Gemini 2.0 Flash not only removes watermarks but also fills in larger areas where signs of removal might be noticeable, producing results comparable to Adobe Photoshop’s Generative Fill tool. However, users have noted that Gemini tends to redraw entire images, resulting in outputs that appear slightly different from the originals. While Google maintains that Gemini is still an experimental model requiring the use of a developer-facing tool for uploading images, this usability might encourage unethical practices.
In contrast, other AI models like OpenAI’s GPT-4o and Claude 3.7 Sonnet strictly refuse to alter images with watermarks, emphasizing the ethical and legal ramifications. As of now, Google has not responded to inquiries regarding these issues, which may put the company at risk if watermark removal becomes unregulated.
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