Japanese Experts Join Forces to Create a Blockchain Model for Creator-Safe Generative AI

Artificial intelligence and blockchain experts in Japan have set up the Anime Chain Preparatory Committee — a thinktank dedicated to building a generative AI on a foundation model exclusively using opt- in training data, whose legitimacy is ensured through blockchain technology. The move is a response to concerns about copyright issues and arts ethics dominating many conversations about generative AI.

Anime Chain also aims to further expand the content ecosystem beyond Europe, America, and Asia, to a more global ecosystem including regions such as the Middle East and Africa.

Goals of the initiative include:

1. Setting up an environment safe and secure for creators — AC will work to provide a generative AI rebuilt from the foundation model utilizing only opt-in material that has received the consent of the rights holders, along with related tools. In order to ensure the transparency and legitimacy of the generative AI, AC will record the development process on the blockchain.
2. Resolving the labor shortage in the content industry — Despite the increasing global demand, the Japanese content industry, especially anime, faces a labor shortage in production. AC aims to create an environment where quality content can be produced more swiftly, even with limited personnel, preventing industry stagnation due to labor shortage and striving for sustainable growth.
3. Maximizing creator earnings —  AC plans to return the earnings from the content produced by generative AI not only to the creators, but also to the rights holders of the training data based on the history of generation recorded on the blockchain. By disclosing the production process of the key frames and images used for training data, creators can maximize their earnings, allowing them to focus more on creative production.

The Preparatory Committee comprises Shuehei Mise (Advisor/former CEO of Turingum K.K., Founder of Zeal Nova), Paji / Hajime Ataka (Co-Founder/EVP of Tokyo Otaku Mode), Naohito Tamaya (Founder of Arriba Studios, Oasys, double jump.tokyo), Hironobu Ueno (CEO of double jump.tokyo) and Arai Mono (CTO/AI artist/engineer of AIHUB).

Details of Anime Chain’s goals and roadmap can be found here. Follow @anime_chain on X to stay up to date with developments.