Can You Use AI-Generated Images for Public Media?

In an era of generative AI, media professionals are increasingly turning to tools like MidJourney, DALL·E, and Stable Diffusion to create compelling visual content. But while AI-generated images offer efficiency and creativity, their use in public media—especially commercial and journalistic contexts—raises a critical question: Can you legally and ethically use AI-generated images in public media?

This article explores everything you need to know: from copyright and licensing rules to ethical best practices and much more.

What Are AI-Generated Images?

AI-generated images are visuals created by artificial intelligence algorithms trained on massive datasets of existing art, photography, and illustrations. These tools use prompts—usually text—to produce completely new images without a human hand directly drawing or photographing the scene.

Popular AI Tools Used in Media

• MidJourney – Known for highly stylized, dream-like images
• DALL·E – Developed by OpenAI, excels at realistic or surreal visuals
• Stable Diffusion – Open-source with deep customization options
• Runway ML – AI platform with video/image generation for filmmakers and marketers

Legal Considerations for Public Media Use

Using AI-generated images in public media involves navigating a complex legal landscape. Key concerns include copyright ownership, licensing rights, and the potential for likeness or trademark infringement. 

1. Copyright and Intellectual Property

One of the most complex issues surrounding AI-generated images is copyright.

• No Clear Copyright for Pure AI Creations: In the U.S., copyright is reserved for works created by human authors. As of 2024, works produced solely by AI are not eligible for copyright protection.
• Legal Gray Area: This can mean AI-generated images are in the public domain—or it can mean no one has rights to them, making enforcement difficult.

Implication: If there’s no clear ownership, anyone may be able to reuse or reproduce the image, creating legal uncertainty in public-facing materials.

2. Licensing Restrictions of AI Platforms

Key Tip: Always check and store a screenshot of the terms of service at the time you use the platform. Terms are updated frequently.

3. Risk from Training Data

AI image generation tools often rely on datasets scraped from the internet. These datasets frequently include content such as stock photography, fine art, celebrity portraits, and commercial designs. While the AI model generates a “new” image, it may still closely resemble an existing copyrighted piece or a recognizable individual.

This resemblance can expose users to legal risks, especially if the image mimics protected works or real people without permission. Even though a machine created the image, human users remain responsible for its public distribution and use.

Use Cases in Public Media: Safe vs. Risky

AI-generated images can be a valuable asset in public media when used appropriately, but not all applications are equally safe. 

Safe Use Cases

Using AI-generated images in public media is generally considered safe when the content is entirely original and does not depict or replicate any real person, brand, or copyrighted asset. Ensuring you have an appropriate license—often provided through a paid subscription or commercial license tier—is equally important. 

Additionally, using AI-generated content as a design element rather than presenting it as a factual photograph or real-world documentation can significantly reduce the risk of misinformation or legal challenges.

For example, many content creators safely use AI-generated images in feature graphics for blog posts, illustrative infographics on social media, or conceptual artwork for opinion-based editorials. These types of usage tend to be editorial or creative in nature and pose minimal risk when paired with proper disclosure and licensing.

Risky Use Cases

By contrast, certain scenarios greatly increase the chance of legal exposure or public backlash. Using AI-generated visuals in advertisements, particularly if they suggest endorsements or inaccurately represent real products, can mislead consumers and violate advertising regulations.

Depictions of real or realistic-looking individuals—whether celebrities or private citizens—can infringe on their right of publicity and may be construed as defamatory or exploitative. Political campaign materials carry additional risk, as AI-generated content could be used to spread disinformation or violate laws related to false advertising and manipulation.

In journalism, presenting AI-generated images as real photos is a serious ethical and legal misstep. Such actions can undermine credibility, harm audiences, and result in significant liability.

Best Practices for Using AI-Generated Images in Public Media

Let’s get to know the best practices that you can utilize while using AI images in public media.

1. Verify the License and Platform Terms

Before using any AI-generated image in a public-facing project, it’s essential to review the specific licensing terms of the platform used. Most tools offer more comprehensive rights under paid plans, while free or trial versions may lack commercial or editorial clearance. Misuse of trial-generated content in high-visibility campaigns can lead to compliance issues or DMCA takedowns.

2. Establish Human Authorship

Enhancing AI-generated content with your own creative input adds a critical layer of human authorship. This can involve retouching, editing, or redesigning elements using tools like Photoshop, Canva, or Figma. Beyond legal safety, this step contributes to the originality and uniqueness of your visual media.

3. Reverse Image Search Before Publishing

To ensure your AI-generated image doesn’t resemble an existing copyrighted image, running a reverse image search using platforms like Google Images or TinEye is a smart precaution. This can help you confirm that the output is not unintentionally derivative of copyrighted work or photos of real individuals.

4. Avoid Likenesses of Real People

Even when AI produces a “synthetic” face, there’s a chance it may resemble someone in the real world. If that resemblance is strong—particularly with public figures—it could result in legal action under right of publicity laws. It’s safest to avoid using any AI image that even vaguely mimics real individuals unless you have the appropriate releases or licensing.

Ethical and Editorial Guidelines

Incorporating AI-generated images into public media demands a commitment to ethical clarity and editorial responsibility. 

Transparency: Always Label AI-Generated Images

Media organizations and ethical content creators should clearly disclose the use of AI-generated visuals. Captions such as “This image was created using MidJourney AI” help audiences understand the origin of the visual. Adding descriptive alt-text further supports transparency and improves accessibility. Importantly, AI-generated images should never be passed off as real photographs—especially in journalistic or scientific contexts.

Fight Against Misinformation

To prevent the spread of false information, it’s wise to use distinct visual styles or watermarking to indicate that the content was AI-generated. Avoid using synthetic media in stories or settings that require factual accuracy, such as news reporting or educational resources. Responsible creators must prioritize the integrity of the information they present to the public.

Conclusion

AI-generated images offer powerful creative possibilities, but using them in public media demands legal and ethical care. Always understand your platform’s licensing terms, avoid likenesses of real people or brands, clearly label AI visuals, and stay updated on evolving laws. With responsible use, these tools can enhance your content without compromising credibility.