AI and the Destruction of the Creative Commons

Generative AI models consume and remix copyrighted and open-licensed content without respecting original licenses, undermining copyleft protections and exposing creators to legal and security risks. The unchecked reuse of code and media threatens the collaborative foundation that enabled the modern internet, turning open sharing into a liability that consolidates power and erodes credit for original authors. This shift risks a “digital dark age” where openness is eroded and innovation stalls.