The Getty Images v. Stability AI case currently before the High Court in London is fast becoming a defining moment in the legal evolution of AI.
At its heart is a fundamental question: should AI be permitted to train on copyrighted material without permission?
The outcome could help shape the global standards around how innovation, ethics, and intellectual property interact.
At Photoroom, we welcome this broader conversation. This case is prompting essential discussions about how AI is trained, who it benefits, and who it might inadvertently exploit. We firmly support the creation of a legal framework that protects both innovation and the rights of creators.
These are not opposing forces – they must coexist.
As a company we have always believed that AI should empower, not replace, human creativity. That’s why we have built a domain-specific model, trained on authorised data, to serve the visual needs of commerce without compromising ethics or legality.
The government’s recent Spending Review, which earmarks £2bn to deliver the AI Action Plan and £86bn for broader science and tech R&D, signals serious intent to develop a wider framework in the UK. It’s encouraging to see policymakers investing in AI, but funding must go together with thoughtful governance.
Cases like Getty v Stability AI remind us that innovation without safeguards is a recipe for erosion of creator rights and public trust.
But there’s another, often overlooked side to the AI story – one far less discussed than courtrooms and corporate disputes and AI’s most powerful promise: accessibility.
Much of today’s AI still relies on text-based prompts – a kind of command line interface for the digital age. But let’s be honest: that works for engineers and early adopters, not for everyday users. That is why image-based prompts are so transformative. They break down technical barriers, making creativity possible for anyone, anywhere – without needing a design degree or coding background.
AI is helping individuals build businesses, tell stories, and take creative control. This is the true potential of AI when done right: not just to accelerate productivity, but to democratise access. It’s no longer just about what AI can do – it’s about who gets to do it.
As the legal system navigates complex questions of copyright and consent, the tech sector must take responsibility too. That means building with ethics, putting users first, and recognising the value of the human creators who fuel this new generation of tools.
Because in the end, AI’s greatest achievement won’t be replacing human creativity – it’ll be unlocking it for millions more people.
Matthieu Rouif is chief executive and co-founder of Photoroom
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