Artificial intelligence is transforming creativity, but at what cost to copyright, ownership, and protection of our likenesses? Nearly 9
out of 10 artists say current copyright laws don’t protect them, and lawsuits against AI companies are piling up. So where do we draw the line between inspiration and imitation—and how should the law adapt?
This week, Claudine Wong and Lisa Bernard sit down with James Grimmelmann, Cornell Law Professor and expert in digital law, to unpack the complex questions around AI, copyright, and what it means for artists, creators, and everyday people.
In This Episode:
• Why AI training on copyrighted works is legally murky
• What 50+ lawsuits against AI companies could mean for the
• The rise of deepfakes—from fake celebrity endorsements to
• Where laws are taking shape (like protections against
non-consensual deepfakes)
• Why copyright may be under its greatest stress since the
• How creators—from Hollywood actors to everyday Instagram
users—can protect themselves
• The balance between urgent regulation and letting courts
set incremental precedent
• [00:01:34] Claudine introduces guest James Grimmelmann,
Cornell Law Professor and expert on copyright in the AI age.
• [00:03:24] James shares his “origin story”—from Microsoft
programmer to law professor bridging technology and legal frameworks.
• [00:06:21] Breaking down how generative AI models are
trained and why copyrighted works are so often part of the process.
• [00:08:57] Why the legality of training AI on copyrighted
materials remains unresolved—and why 50 lawsuits may set the future precedent.
• [00:11:11] Class actions vs. big media lawsuits: how
individuals can (or can’t) push back against AI companies.
• [00:14:07] The dangers of political deepfakes and why
courts struggle to balance free speech with protection from deception.
• [00:16:48] New state and federal laws begin targeting
non-consensual pornographic deepfakes.
• [00:19:09] The rise of voice cloning scams—and how they’re
being prosecuted under fraud laws.
• [00:22:37] Why James is both concerned and cautiously
reassured by the speed of AI adoption.
• [00:24:06] Should lawmakers move faster? James warns
against rushing laws that could lock in outdated rules.
• [00:25:23] Is copyright outdated? James argues it’s under
its greatest stress since the printing press.
• [00:29:20] How Hollywood’s actors’ strike highlighted the
collision of copyright, labor law, and AI-powered digital doubles.
• [00:32:21] James on whether AI could ever replace
lawyers—and why he still prefers books to bots for creative work.
James Grimmelmann — Cornell Law Professor, researcher, and
director of the Control-Alt Lab, specializing in the intersection of
technology, copyright, and digital culture.
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