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New AI Video Model Sparks Hollywood Frenzy, Raises IP Concerns
A new artificial intelligence video generation model, Seedance 2.0, has sent ripples of both awe and alarm through the tech and entertainment industries since its release last week. Developed by ByteDance, the company behind TikTok, Seedance 2.0 is quickly positioning itself as a major player in the rapidly evolving AI video landscape, going head-to-head with established models like OpenAI’s Sora 2 and Google’s Veo 3.1.
Currently, Seedance 2.0 is primarily accessible to users in mainland China through ByteDance’s Jimeng AI app. However, its reach is expected to expand globally as it will soon be integrated into CapCut, ByteDance’s popular video editing application favored by TikTok users worldwide.
Almost immediately following its launch, user-generated videos created with Seedance 2.0 began trending across social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit, eliciting a mixture of astonishment and deep concern. One particular clip, depicting a fictional fistfight between Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise, complete with a dialogue about Jeffrey Epstein, garnered over 3.2 million views on X.
Irish filmmaker Ruairi Robinson highlighted the model’s ease of use, noting that a similar fistfight video required only a “2 line prompt” to generate. This capability prompted a strong reaction from “Deadpool” screenwriter Rhett Reese, who expressed his unease on X, stating, “I hate to say it.
It’s likely over for us.” Reese later clarified his fear stems from AI’s accelerating “encroachment into creative endeavors,” particularly given the professional quality of the Pitt v.
Cruise video. He described his view as “glass half empty,” anticipating a potential “revolution/decimation” of Hollywood.
The rapid rise of Seedance 2.0 and the ensuing panic within the film and television sector have been likened by some online to Hollywood’s “Deepseek moment,” referring to a previous instance of AI technology causing significant industry disruption. Actor Scott Adkins even appeared to spot his own likeness in a Seedance-generated video, humorously remarking, “I don’t remember shooting this! Must’ve slipped my mind 🤔.”
In response to the growing concerns, ByteDance issued a statement via email, acknowledging the issues. “ByteDance respects intellectual property rights and we have heard the concerns regarding Seedance 2.0,” a spokesperson affirmed. “We are taking steps to strengthen current safeguards as we work to prevent the unauthorized use of intellectual property and likeness by users.”
This statement followed strong condemnation from SAG-AFTRA, the actors’ union, which decried the “blatant infringement enabled by Bytedance’s new AI video model Seedance 2.0.” The union emphasized that the infringement includes “the unauthorized use of our members’ voices and likenesses,” calling it “unacceptable and undercuts the ability of human talent to earn a livelihood.” SAG-AFTRA further criticized Seedance 2.0 for disregarding “law, ethics, industry standards and basic principles of consent,” stressing the absence of responsible AI development.
Adding to the chorus of criticism, the Human Artistry Campaign, a global coalition representing numerous creative organizations, labeled Seedance 2.0’s launch “an attack on every creator around the world.” The campaign urged authorities to “use every legal tool at their disposal to stop this wholesale theft.” Disney and Paramount have not yet provided comments on the matter.