'Selling Stolen Art': Man Sells AI-Generated Art As 'Own Design' In Bengaluru, People Are Calling It A Scam

When a Bengaluru-based artist took to X to showcase and sell his AI-generated artwork, little did he anticipate the flood of criticism that ensued. Instead of applause, his post triggered skepticism and raised eyebrows, revealing a growing concern: are people falling prey to scams disguised as art?

Successful day of art sales

Ashok Reddy, the artist, took to X (formerly Twitter) on Monday to share his success story: "For the first time, we opened a stall on Church Street to sell my designs, and we sold out 60-70% of our stock."

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He posted images of his artwork and stall, revealing that he began setting up around 2 PM and saw brisk sales within hours.

"At around 4:30 PM, we closed our first sale and haven't looked back since. As the day progressed, more people began visiting our stall. From 8:00 to 10:00 PM, Church Street was at its peak, bustling with so many visitors that there was hardly any space to walk," he recounted.

"We ended up selling around 60-70% of our stock, even though this was my first time. I learned a lot from the crowd!" he concluded.

Check out his post here:

For the first time, we opened a stall on Church Street to sell my designs, and we sold out 60-70% of our stock (here's how it went ?, A MINI QUICK Thread) pic.twitter.com/32frlE6CFb

¡ª Ashok Reddy (@ashoksangireddy) May 13, 2024

People argue AI-generated art can't be claimed as original designs

While Mr. Reddy celebrated the success of his digital designs, his post sparked unexpected reactions across the internet.

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Some commended his efforts, expressing admiration for his work ethic and pledging to visit Church Street to make a purchase but others were not as supportive.

Critics voiced concerns over the authenticity and creativity of AI-generated art, labeling it as "stolen" and "lazy." In the comments section, skepticism prevailed, with many questioning the originality and value of such artwork.

Also read: Facing A Panic Attack, Woman Turns To AI For Help: Here's What Happened Next

One commenter criticised the business model, accusing Reddy of profiting from stolen art, while another dismissed AI art as a scam.

One comment read, "AI generated can never be called ¡®My designs.¡¯ Have some shame and sell something good or original."

In summary, while Mr. Reddy basked in his sales success, his post ignited a debate about the legitimacy and integrity of AI-generated art.

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