E-commerce giant Shopify has taken down a website template following accusations from popular food influencer Molly Baz that it featured an "AI version" of her likeness. Baz, known for her cookbook "More Is More: Get Loose in the Kitchen," pointed out the striking resemblance between the template's imagery and her own cookbook cover art and online presence.
Key Takeaways
- Shopify removed a website template after food influencer Molly Baz accused it of using an "AI version" of her likeness.
- The template featured an image similar to Baz's cookbook cover, including a red sweatshirt and a butter-yellow kitchen.
- Shopify stated a third-party developer used the imagery without permission, violating their terms.
- The incident highlights concerns about AI-generated content potentially infringing on creators' rights.
Allegations of Likeness Infringement
Molly Baz, who boasts a significant following on Instagram, took to the platform to express her dismay, stating that Shopify was using a "sicko AI version" of her to promote its new website themes. The template in question depicted a woman in a red sweatshirt consuming an onion ring within a butter-yellow kitchen, an image that closely mirrored Baz's own branding.
Shopify's Response and Removal
A spokesperson for Shopify confirmed that the e-commerce platform had removed the theme. They stated that a third-party theme developer had used imagery resembling Baz without authorization, which is a violation of Shopify's terms of service. The company also indicated that they had informed Baz's team and were working with the developer to prevent future occurrences.
Shopify did not elaborate on its relationship with the developer, Presidio, nor did it confirm whether other Presidio-designed themes were affected. It remains unclear if artificial intelligence was used by the developer to create the infringing design, as Baz had speculated.
Broader Implications of AI in Content Creation
The incident underscores growing concerns within the creative community regarding the proliferation of AI-generated content. The ease with which AI can produce images raises alarms about potential copyright and publicity rights infringements, as AI models are often trained on vast datasets that may include creators' work without explicit permission. Experts suggest that marketers using these tools may inadvertently create content that infringes on individuals' rights, a risk that is becoming increasingly relevant as AI adoption grows.
Sources
- Shopify Pulls Design After Molly Baz Calls It an 'AI Version' of Her, Business Insider.
