This study examines how fanart users perceive image-generating AIs and AI fanart. The study examines ideas of agency by looking at themes in TikTok comment sections and discourses in AI fanart users’ communication when asked about AI fanart.

Findings from the study illustrated how fanart users are confused about artist agency and AI fanart’s authenticity. Their ideas and arguments are contradictory and confusing. AI fanart is ultimately perceived as more exploitative than empowering by fanart users, presumably due to both fanart users’ subject position and AIs being a new emerging technology. The discussion of the analyses underlines different ways a contemporary technology, such as AIs, can impact the production of contemporary society and culture both positively and negatively depending on the actors involved. The findings furthermore exemplify how agency can be both enabled and limited by various agents and structures in the AI and fanart community.

The conclusive results show that fanart users are unclear and confused about AI agency and AI fanart authenticity, which is mirrored in society. AI fanart may have both an exploitative and empowering nature but just which of the two will be dominant remains unclear and changeable.