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Can my student use AI to redraw a copyrighted image to include in their thesis?

A master student wants to use AI to generate an image in their thesis. The publisher of the original image does not respond to attempts to contact them, and the student really wants to use this image and says they need it. The image is a photograph of some structure they are discussing in the thesis through a microscope. I do not think generating and using an AI image is right thing to do. What should I do?

Test user · 13 Jun 2026

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1 perspective from the community

  • Mirjam Glessmer's profile photo

    Mirjam Glessmer

    I would start by asking the student why they feel the need to include this image. Why is it not enough to refer to it and people can look it up in the original publication? Also what would they have done before AI -- described it in great detail? Redrawn it? Emailed the original author and asked for a picture that shows something similar, and for permissions to use that instead? ...? Why is none of these options working now?

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