October 2, 2025

analysis  
Midjourney Lawsuit, Avi Schiffmann's $1 Million Ad Vandalism

The intersection of artificial intelligence and intellectual property is a growing concern, as highlighted by Disney's recent legal action against AI startup Character.AI. Disney sent a cease-and-desist letter demanding the removal of its copyrighted characters, including those from Marvel and Star Wars, from Character.AI's platform. Disney cited concerns over brand harm and potential misuse, particularly regarding interactions with children. Character.AI has complied with the request, stating its willingness to partner with rights holders. This incident is part of a broader trend where media companies are actively protecting their intellectual property from unauthorized AI use, with Disney also suing AI image generator Midjourney. Meanwhile, the practical application of AI continues to expand across various sectors. In finance, UAE banks are leading in digital security by employing AI and big data for enhanced fraud detection and customer experience. Better.com is using AI to expedite mortgage applications, and DeepSales has launched an AI sales agent, 'Selly,' to help SMEs find export buyers. However, the return on investment for AI in commercial real estate remains unclear, and experts like Ed Zitron question the current hype surrounding AI, particularly Large Language Models, citing high costs and limited revenues for generative AI companies. Cybersecurity remains a critical area where AI presents a double-edged sword, enhancing defenses while also being used by attackers. Despite AI advancements, fundamental security practices like strong passwords and multi-factor authentication are still paramount. Research indicates that while 78% of organizations trust AI, fewer invest in governance and ethical safeguards, underscoring the need for reliable AI implementation and critical review of its outputs. The founder of AI wearable 'friend.com,' Avi Schiffmann, views vandalism on his $1 million ad campaign as a form of cultural validation, prioritizing attention over immediate profitability.

Key Takeaways

  • Disney has issued cease-and-desist letters to AI startup Character.AI, demanding the removal of its copyrighted characters due to concerns about brand infringement and potential harm to children.
  • Character.AI has removed Disney characters, including those from Marvel and Star Wars, and stated its openness to partnering with rights holders.
  • Disney is also involved in lawsuits against other AI companies, such as Midjourney, for alleged copyright infringement.
  • UAE banks are leveraging AI and big data to enhance digital banking security, improve fraud detection, and personalize customer experiences.
  • Better.com is utilizing AI to streamline and expedite the mortgage application process.
  • DeepSales has introduced an AI sales agent named 'Selly' to assist small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in identifying export buyers and facilitating international sales.
  • While 78% of organizations trust AI, only 40% invest in governance and ethical safeguards, highlighting a gap in AI implementation.
  • Fundamental cybersecurity practices, such as strong passwords and multi-factor authentication, remain crucial despite advancements in AI security tools.
  • Avi Schiffmann, founder of AI wearable 'friend.com,' views vandalism on his $1 million ad campaign as a form of cultural validation, prioritizing attention and cultural impact.
  • Experts like Ed Zitron question the current hype around AI, particularly Large Language Models, citing high operational costs and limited revenues for generative AI companies.

Disney demands AI chatbot service remove copyrighted characters

Disney sent a legal letter to Character.ai, an AI startup, demanding it stop using Disney's copyrighted characters without permission. The AI platform allows users to create chatbots based on existing characters, including those from Star Wars, Marvel, and animated films. Disney claims these chatbots misuse their intellectual property and can mislead consumers, especially young people. Character.ai stated it has removed the characters and is open to partnering with rights holders. This action is part of a larger trend of studios protecting their content from unauthorized AI use.

Character.AI removes Disney characters after copyright warning

Character.AI has removed Disney characters from its platform after receiving a cease-and-desist letter from the studio. Disney accused the AI startup of using its copyrighted characters without authorization, which the company stated was harmful to its brand. Character.AI confirmed it swiftly removes content reported by rights holders and aims to partner with them. The incident highlights ongoing tensions between media companies and AI developers over intellectual property.

Disney warns AI chatbot service over character use

Walt Disney has sent a cease-and-desist letter to AI startup Character.AI, demanding the immediate removal of unauthorized copyrighted characters. Disney expressed concerns that the platform's use of its characters could harm its brand, citing a report on the chatbots' potentially harmful interactions with young users. Character.AI confirmed it removed the characters, stating it is up to rights holders to decide how their intellectual property is used. Disney is also involved in other lawsuits against AI companies for copyright infringement.

Disney targets Character.AI for unauthorized character use

The Walt Disney Company has issued a cease-and-desist letter to Character.AI, an AI chatbot service, for using copyrighted characters without permission. Character.AI acknowledged that some characters on its platform are inspired by existing ones and stated its goal is to partner with rights holders. This action by Disney is part of broader efforts by media companies to protect their intellectual property in the growing AI landscape. Disney is also suing AI image generator Midjourney for alleged copyright infringement.

Character.AI removes Disney characters after legal notice

Character.AI has removed Disney characters from its platform following a cease-and-desist letter from Disney. The letter accused the AI company of infringing on copyrights and potentially harming children through chatbot interactions. Disney cited a report detailing concerning behaviors like grooming and exploitation. Character.AI stated it responds quickly to rights holder requests and aims to collaborate with IP owners. Searches for popular Disney characters on the platform now yield no results.

Disney orders AI chatbots to remove Marvel, Star Wars characters

Disney has demanded that Character.AI remove chatbots impersonating its characters, including those from Marvel and Star Wars. Disney cited a report alleging that these AI bots engage in grooming, exploitation, and are dangerous to children. The company stated that Character.AI is infringing on copyrights and damaging its brand. Character.AI confirmed the removal of Disney-themed chatbots, emphasizing that user-generated content is subject to rights holder decisions. This action follows lawsuits against AI companies for copyright infringement and concerns about AI's impact on minors.

AI: A double-edged sword for data center cybersecurity

Artificial intelligence presents a dual challenge for cybersecurity in data centers. While AI enhances defenses through automated threat detection and predictive analytics, attackers also leverage it for faster hacking and sophisticated social engineering. Best practices include deploying AI-driven security systems like behavioral analytics and next-gen antivirus, alongside human oversight. Organizations must also strengthen defenses against AI attacks through adversarial training and zero trust architecture. Ethical considerations like bias and privacy are also crucial as AI becomes more integrated into security.

UAE banks lead in digital security with AI and big data

Banks in the UAE are becoming global leaders in digital banking security by using advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and big data. These banks are enhancing fraud detection, personalizing services, and improving customer experiences. Cybersecurity experts note that AI helps monitor for anomalies and analyze vast data to identify suspicious patterns. Enhanced authentication methods and collaborative threat intelligence sharing platforms like Tasharuk are also strengthening the sector's resilience against cyber threats.

Cybersecurity basics remain crucial despite AI advancements

During Cybersecurity Awareness Month, experts emphasize that fundamental security practices are still vital, even with advanced AI tools. Using strong, unique passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA), recognizing and reporting scams, and updating software are the most effective ways to prevent attacks. These basic actions, often overlooked, can thwart most threats and are essential for both individuals and organizations. While AI enhances security operations, it cannot replace the need for good user hygiene and consistent application of these core security measures.

AI is reshaping commercial real estate, but ROI is still unclear

Artificial intelligence (AI) is moving from hype to practical application in the commercial real estate (CRE) industry, offering efficiency gains in areas like data processing and task automation. However, while AI is improving operational speed, its long-term financial and strategic impact remains largely unproven. Investors are cautiously adopting AI, focusing on sustainable business models and measurable return on investment (ROI). The industry faces the challenge of translating efficiency improvements into tangible business value and strategic advantage.

AI in the boardroom: Executives focus on practical application

Former CEO Fred Diaz advises executives to approach artificial intelligence (AI) with a focus on solving real problems and achieving measurable results, rather than just adopting it to avoid being left behind. He stresses the importance of clear metrics, clean data, and scalable solutions when evaluating AI investments. Diaz warns that hype cycles can lead to unclear strategies and wasted resources. True competitive advantage comes from embedding AI into core decision-making, not just automating tasks.

AI pendant maker embraces subway ad graffiti

Avi Schiffmann, the 22-year-old founder of AI wearable 'friend.com,' views graffiti on his $1 million ad campaign as validation. The ads, featuring intimate slogans, have become canvases for protest art criticizing AI. Schiffmann sees this vandalism as part of his plan to provoke cultural conversation about AI and friendship. While the product has sold 3,000 units, the company is burning through cash, with Schiffmann prioritizing attention and cultural impact over immediate profitability. The company's terms of service also raise privacy concerns regarding data collection.

AI: A superpower or a weapon depends on human choice

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a powerful technology, much like the nuclear bomb, whose impact depends on how humans choose to use it. OpenAI's Alexis Bonnell emphasizes that AI reveals our character rather than changing it. While AI offers potential benefits like economic acceleration and solving global challenges, it also carries risks of deepening inequality and displacing workers. Ultimately, the responsible development and deployment of AI will reflect human values and policies.

AI sales agent 'Selly' helps SMEs find export buyers

DeepSales has launched an AI sales agent named Selly to assist small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in finding overseas buyers and partners. Selly uses big data and deep learning to analyze company products, identify suitable buyers, send personalized messages in multiple languages, and arrange meetings. This automation aims to significantly improve sales efficiency and conversion rates for SMEs struggling with traditional export sales methods. DeepSales is continuously enhancing Selly with industry-specific features and global compliance.

Generative AI trust grows, but security lags

Research shows that IT professionals trust generative AI more than traditional AI, despite security measures lagging. While 78 percent of organizations trust AI, only 40 percent invest in governance and ethical safeguards. Companies prioritizing reliable AI are significantly more likely to see a greater return on investment. However, challenges like non-centralized data infrastructure and insufficient data governance hinder AI implementation. Experts stress the need for increased trust through reliable AI, critical review of results, and leadership empowerment.

Better.com uses AI for faster mortgages

Better.com is leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline and expedite the mortgage process for homebuyers. The company's founder and CEO, Vishal Garg, discussed how AI helps create a 'better, faster' experience. This adoption of AI aims to improve efficiency and potentially reduce turnaround times for mortgage applications.

AI skeptic questions hype around artificial intelligence

AI skeptic Ed Zitron argues that the current excitement around artificial intelligence, particularly Large Language Models (LLMs), is overblown and unsustainable. He points out that LLMs' probabilistic nature limits their automation capabilities and that generative AI companies are burning vast amounts of money with meager revenues. Zitron also criticizes major AI partnerships and the difficulty in measuring AI's impact on business productivity, suggesting AI is primarily a marketing term for a tech industry seeking new growth.

Beware of 'AI workslop' impacting productivity and careers

The rise of AI in the workplace has led to 'AI workslop,' where AI generates sloppy or inaccurate content, negatively impacting productivity and costing businesses millions. This issue arises from AI misinterpreting information or producing unreliable outputs. Experts advise developing comfort with AI use while remaining vigilant. To prevent AI workslop from harming careers, individuals should focus on critical review of AI-generated content and ensure AI tools are used effectively and accurately.

Sources

AI Artificial Intelligence Copyright Intellectual Property Character.AI Disney Cease and Desist Cybersecurity Data Centers Threat Detection Predictive Analytics Social Engineering Behavioral Analytics Next-Gen Antivirus Adversarial Training Zero Trust Architecture Bias Privacy UAE Banks Digital Banking Big Data Fraud Detection Customer Experience Anomaly Detection Authentication Threat Intelligence Cybersecurity Awareness Month Passwords Multi-Factor Authentication Scams Software Updates User Hygiene Commercial Real Estate CRE ROI Business Value Strategic Advantage Boardroom Executives Metrics Data Governance Scalable Solutions Automation AI Pendant Wearable Technology Friend.com Cultural Conversation Privacy Concerns Data Collection Superpower Weapon Human Choice Nuclear Bomb OpenAI Economic Acceleration Global Challenges Inequality Worker Displacement Responsible Development Human Values AI Sales Agent SMEs Export Buyers DeepSales Selly Deep Learning Personalized Messages Sales Efficiency Generative AI Trust Security IT Professionals Governance Ethical Safeguards Reliable AI Data Infrastructure Mortgages Better.com Mortgage Process Homebuyers Efficiency Turnaround Time Mortgage Applications AI Skeptic Hype Large Language Models LLMs Probabilistic Nature Revenues Partnerships Productivity Marketing Term Workplace AI Workslop Inaccurate Content Sloppy Content Critical Review