You seem to be arguing that hard work and/or preparation are important factors when deciding eligibility for copyright. But legally, they are completely irrelevant.
You cannot copyright a seashell you find, under any circumstance. Even if you have “domain-specific” knowledge that guides you to places where you expect to find the prettiest or most unusual seashells. Even if you have a specific seashell in mind and intend to keep discarding seashells until you find the one that matches your vision. Even if you guide your search in the direction of other found seashells that increasingly approximate what you desire.
AI generated works are like seashells. Even if it takes skill and planning to ensure you will find something that matches your original vision, they still cannot be copyrighted. Because you still didn’t make them yourself.
You seem to be arguing that hard work and/or preparation are important factors when deciding eligibility for copyright. But legally, they are completely irrelevant.
You cannot copyright a seashell you find, under any circumstance. Even if you have “domain-specific” knowledge that guides you to places where you expect to find the prettiest or most unusual seashells. Even if you have a specific seashell in mind and intend to keep discarding seashells until you find the one that matches your vision. Even if you guide your search in the direction of other found seashells that increasingly approximate what you desire.
AI generated works are like seashells. Even if it takes skill and planning to ensure you will find something that matches your original vision, they still cannot be copyrighted. Because you still didn’t make them yourself.