The Current State of Generative AI and Creators: Creators' 'Expectations and Concerns' Revealed in a Survey on Generative AI
The Japan Illustration Association (JILLA) conducted a survey on generative AI among its members, revealing creators' 'expectations and concerns.' While copyright infringement and disputes are frequent, there are also expectations for AI as a support tool for work efficiency and idea generation, highlighting the need for institutional development and rights protection.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 14, 2026 at 19:24
- 🔍 Collected: April 14, 2026 at 11:01
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 19, 2026 at 17:53 (126h 51m after Collected)
## Press Release Information
Title: The Current State of Generative AI and Creators: Creators' 'Expectations and Concerns' Revealed in a Survey on Generative AI
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Main Text (first 8000 characters):
Japan Illustration Association (JILLA) Survey on Generative AI 2025
The Japan Illustration Association (JILLA) conducted a survey exclusively on "generative AI" among its members from December 3 to December 25, 2025. The results, compiled and analyzed from 386 valid responses, will be publicly released on the official JILLA blog.
The purpose of this survey is to grasp the specific challenges creators face in the field, such as the risk of copyright infringement, troubles in transactions with clients, and the impact on professional evaluation.
The report has already been shared with members in the January 2026 issue (Vol.24) of the association's magazine 'Wille,' but is now being released to share information with both inside and outside the industry.
April XX, 2026 (Fri) ← Tentative
Japan Illustration Association (JILLA)
Inquiries (Secretariat): https://jilla.or.jp/contact
Publication (JILLA Official Blog): https://jilla.or.jp/2026/04/14762
1. Survey Overview
Survey Period: December 3 to December 25, 2025
Target Audience: Members of the Japan Illustration Association
Number of Responses: 386
Survey Method: Notification via member email newsletter and Web questionnaire format
2. Main Survey Results
■ Divided by "Profession" and "Generation"! Evaluation of Generative AI
Overall, negative responses ("very negative," "somewhat negative") accounted for 46.4%, surpassing positive responses ("very positive," "somewhat positive") at 32.4%. "Neither positive nor negative" was 21.2%.
By profession, approximately 76% of manga artists and 59% of illustrators indicated negative responses. On the other hand, approximately 61% of web designers responded positively, showing a stronger sense of caution in professions where "drawing" is at the core of value.
By generation, the proportion of negative responses ("very negative," "somewhat negative") was highest among those in their 30s at approximately 66%, while positive responses ("very positive," "somewhat positive") were highest among those in their 50s at approximately 53%, indicating a cautious attitude among younger generations and a more practical evaluation among middle-aged and older generations.
■ Expected Benefits: Focus on Utilization as a "Support Tool"
Regardless of gender or profession, "work efficiency" (254 cases) and "idea generation" (199 cases) were the top responses. In contrast, "supplementing labor shortage" accounted for only 65 cases, suggesting that many creators perceive generative AI as a "support tool" rather than a "labor replacement."
■ Main Concerns: Copyright as the Biggest Anxiety Factor
"Copyright infringement (legal risks related to learning and generation)" was the most frequent concern with 358 cases, followed by "client morality" (275 cases) and "information accuracy" (271 cases).
Furthermore, a tendency was observed where the more negative the impression of generative AI, the higher the concern for talent development and the sustainability of the industrial structure.
■ Troubles Actually Experienced: 82 Individuals
Among the 82 respondents who experienced troubles, illustrators (40 individuals) and manga artists (13 individuals) accounted for approximately 65% of the total. The main contents are as follows:
Unauthorized learning of works and art styles
Unauthorized creation and distribution of LoRA models using personal names
Unauthorized AI processing and animation of deliverables by clients
Cases where hand-drawn works are mistakenly identified as AI-generated, leading to discount negotiations or manuscript rejection
Rejection of manuscript acceptance due to misjudgment by AI detection tools
Pressure to lower production fees or decrease orders due to the spread of AI
■ Requests to JILLA: Expectations for System Development and Rights Protection
As for the actions members expect from JILLA, "efforts to protect copyrights" (299 cases) was the most frequent, followed by "proposals and suggestions to the administration" (248 cases), and "trial operation of a generative AI usage mark" (174 cases).
A widespread recognition exists that individual or business-level responses have limitations, leading to high expectations for institutional responses.
3. JILLA's Comment
This survey indicates that while generative AI offers certain conveniences, concrete issues have already arisen from the perspectives of copyright, talent development, and the impact on industrial structure.
To balance the protection of creators' rights with the utilization of technology, administrative system development and continuous discussion among stakeholders are indispensable. JILLA will continue its efforts to convey the voices of those in the field to society and the administration.
Title: The Current State of Generative AI and Creators: Creators' 'Expectations and Concerns' Revealed in a Survey on Generative AI
Subtitle:
Company Name:
Industry:
Main Text (first 8000 characters):
Japan Illustration Association (JILLA) Survey on Generative AI 2025
The Japan Illustration Association (JILLA) conducted a survey exclusively on "generative AI" among its members from December 3 to December 25, 2025. The results, compiled and analyzed from 386 valid responses, will be publicly released on the official JILLA blog.
The purpose of this survey is to grasp the specific challenges creators face in the field, such as the risk of copyright infringement, troubles in transactions with clients, and the impact on professional evaluation.
The report has already been shared with members in the January 2026 issue (Vol.24) of the association's magazine 'Wille,' but is now being released to share information with both inside and outside the industry.
April XX, 2026 (Fri) ← Tentative
Japan Illustration Association (JILLA)
Inquiries (Secretariat): https://jilla.or.jp/contact
Publication (JILLA Official Blog): https://jilla.or.jp/2026/04/14762
1. Survey Overview
Survey Period: December 3 to December 25, 2025
Target Audience: Members of the Japan Illustration Association
Number of Responses: 386
Survey Method: Notification via member email newsletter and Web questionnaire format
2. Main Survey Results
■ Divided by "Profession" and "Generation"! Evaluation of Generative AI
Overall, negative responses ("very negative," "somewhat negative") accounted for 46.4%, surpassing positive responses ("very positive," "somewhat positive") at 32.4%. "Neither positive nor negative" was 21.2%.
By profession, approximately 76% of manga artists and 59% of illustrators indicated negative responses. On the other hand, approximately 61% of web designers responded positively, showing a stronger sense of caution in professions where "drawing" is at the core of value.
By generation, the proportion of negative responses ("very negative," "somewhat negative") was highest among those in their 30s at approximately 66%, while positive responses ("very positive," "somewhat positive") were highest among those in their 50s at approximately 53%, indicating a cautious attitude among younger generations and a more practical evaluation among middle-aged and older generations.
■ Expected Benefits: Focus on Utilization as a "Support Tool"
Regardless of gender or profession, "work efficiency" (254 cases) and "idea generation" (199 cases) were the top responses. In contrast, "supplementing labor shortage" accounted for only 65 cases, suggesting that many creators perceive generative AI as a "support tool" rather than a "labor replacement."
■ Main Concerns: Copyright as the Biggest Anxiety Factor
"Copyright infringement (legal risks related to learning and generation)" was the most frequent concern with 358 cases, followed by "client morality" (275 cases) and "information accuracy" (271 cases).
Furthermore, a tendency was observed where the more negative the impression of generative AI, the higher the concern for talent development and the sustainability of the industrial structure.
■ Troubles Actually Experienced: 82 Individuals
Among the 82 respondents who experienced troubles, illustrators (40 individuals) and manga artists (13 individuals) accounted for approximately 65% of the total. The main contents are as follows:
Unauthorized learning of works and art styles
Unauthorized creation and distribution of LoRA models using personal names
Unauthorized AI processing and animation of deliverables by clients
Cases where hand-drawn works are mistakenly identified as AI-generated, leading to discount negotiations or manuscript rejection
Rejection of manuscript acceptance due to misjudgment by AI detection tools
Pressure to lower production fees or decrease orders due to the spread of AI
■ Requests to JILLA: Expectations for System Development and Rights Protection
As for the actions members expect from JILLA, "efforts to protect copyrights" (299 cases) was the most frequent, followed by "proposals and suggestions to the administration" (248 cases), and "trial operation of a generative AI usage mark" (174 cases).
A widespread recognition exists that individual or business-level responses have limitations, leading to high expectations for institutional responses.
3. JILLA's Comment
This survey indicates that while generative AI offers certain conveniences, concrete issues have already arisen from the perspectives of copyright, talent development, and the impact on industrial structure.
To balance the protection of creators' rights with the utilization of technology, administrative system development and continuous discussion among stakeholders are indispensable. JILLA will continue its efforts to convey the voices of those in the field to society and the administration.