The well-known comic featuring an anthropomorphic dog surrounded by flames, saying, “This is fine,” has been a staple of internet culture. Recently, the AI startup Artisan has come under fire for allegedly using this artwork in an advertisement without the creator's consent.
KC Green, the artist behind the comic, expressed his frustration on Bluesky after discovering an ad in a subway station that features a modified version of his work. In the ad, the dog states, “[M]y pipeline is on fire,” while promoting an AI service. Green stated that he did not authorize this usage and described the situation as akin to how AI technologies often appropriate art without permission.
In his post, Green urged his followers to “vandalize” the ad if they came across it, emphasizing his discontent with the situation. He noted that he has received numerous messages about the ad, which he views as a clear theft of his creative work.
When approached for comment, Artisan acknowledged Green's contributions and indicated they were reaching out to him directly to discuss the matter. This is not the first time Artisan has faced criticism; their previous billboards advocating for businesses to “stop hiring humans” sparked controversy, although the founder clarified that the intent was to target specific job categories rather than a blanket statement against all human workers.
Green's original comic first appeared in his webcomic “Gunshow” in 2013. While he has embraced the meme's popularity, he has also expressed concern over its uncontrolled usage. He is not alone in this struggle; many artists have found their work exploited in ways they find objectionable, leading to legal battles over unauthorized commercial use.
Green mentioned he is considering legal representation to address this issue, feeling disheartened that he must divert his focus from creating art to navigating the legal system. He criticized the notion that AI-driven entities can operate without accountability, stating, “These no-thought A.I. losers aren’t untouchable and memes just don’t come out of thin air.”
