Allegations of copyright infringement: Figma disables AI design function
Figma disables a new AI design feature after users point out that the feature appears to have copied designs from Apple's weather app.
(Image: nicemeanin/Shutterstock.com)
Figma is disabling a recently released beta version for an AI feature that allows users to create designs in different styles and layouts via text prompt, Techcrunch reports. Previously, some users had noticed that the designs generated by the AI bore a striking resemblance to Apple's Weather app. Screenshots circulated on social media documenting the similarities between the AI designs and the Apple design.
Figma responded by temporarily deactivating the AI function. A spokesperson for the company told TechCrunch that it would investigate the matter and, if necessary, take measures to ensure that the AI models do not generate copyrighted designs.
On X, Figma CEO Dylan Field responded to the allegations and wrote that the "Make Design" function was not trained on Figma data, community content or app designs. However, he didn't seem to know exactly what training data was used. According to Figma CTO Kris Rasmussen, OpenAI's GPT-4o and Amazon's Titan Image Generator G1 were used as the basis, as he said in an interview with tech portal The Verge.
The company also emphasized that this was an early beta version. Figma wants to improve the function with user feedback and avoid copyright infringements.
Dev mode links design elements with code
The company had presented the AI function as part of a larger update aimed at bringing designers and developers closer together. This includes a "Dev Mode", which links design elements with code, as well as "Figma Slides" for interactive presentations.
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