The growing war over Seedance 2.0’s 'digital heist'

The recent launch of ByteDance’s Seedance 2.0, an AI model capable of generating synchronized cinematic sequences with native audio, has sparked significant controversy across legal, regulatory, and environmental domains. Major Hollywood studios, led by Disney and Paramount, have issued cease-and-desist orders accusing ByteDance of using pirated copyrighted material to train the model, particularly highlighting its replication of iconic characters from franchises like Marvel and Star Wars. In response, ByteDance temporarily disabled features that clone real human voices. This dispute emerges amid accelerating global regulatory efforts, including the European Union’s upcoming strict enforcement of the AI Act and the U.S. “NO FAKES” Act, which aims to protect individuals’ digital likeness rights for decades after death. India has also introduced stringent rules mandating the rapid removal of unlawful synthetic media within three hours, reflecting a growing international consensus on the need for swift AI content moderation. Beyond intellectual property and regulatory challenges, Seedance 2.0’s operation raises serious environmental concerns