Calgary Farmers' Market calls negative reaction to AI art a 'tempest in a teapot' – Calgary

A Calgary farmers' market says it did nothing wrong by using artificial intelligence (AI)-generated images of animals in its new marketing campaign, despite strong criticism from some that it should have used local artists.

Debbie Catling, president of the Calgary Farmers Market Authority, calls it a tempest in a teapot.

“What surprised us was the reaction to the AI ​​part of it, the integration of AI into the artistic part of it,” Catling said. “It's a tool that can be used. AI doesn't just spit out a picture.”

According to Catling, it's as if artists who previously refused to use a camera had real art.

The president of the Farmers Market Board said the market worked with local company PTI Graphics to develop a campaign that will grab people's attention as they navigate social media.

“He had an idea. He knew what he wanted. He used AI for some of the images, but then he had to Photoshop, edit and add layers,” Catling said.

“I think these nuances are blown out of proportion. So I would say it's a tempest in a teapot.”

However, there are many who oppose the campaign.

“Why am I disappointed?” I think choosing AI artwork over the local artist community for this selection is disempowering Calgarian artists,” said Simone Engel.

In August, Wizards of the Coast was criticized for using AI-generated art in one of its Dungeons and Dragons books. In the statementThe Hasbro-owned subsidiary said the publisher was unaware the artist, with which it had a decade-long relationship, had used AI in some art and was revising its artist guidelines as a result.

In October, US media company Gannett denied it had published artificial intelligence-generated marketing material on its shopping website, but admitted that some of the content produced by its marketing partner “did not meet our editorial standards”.

And in January, Wizards of the Coast admitted to using some form of AI-generated art Magic: Gathering promotional materials, it said it would reconsider its policy of using AI art for marketing.

Not buying local is a serious crime to blame for farmers markets.

Jonathan Taylor of PTI Graphics said the allegation was confusing.

“I didn't see that coming,” Taylor said. “We just wanted to have fun and create a memorable campaign.

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“We're local, we're from Calgary. All my staff are from Calgary. We have been doing business for 13 years. We only use local providers for printing. We source everything we can locally, so I was a bit surprised.”

The Farmers Market on Greenbriar Dr. Northwest was busy with Valentine's Day on Wednesday, but none of the people Global News spoke to there spoke against the campaign.

Jacqueline Spackman runs Blossoms YYC and said she hasn't heard much about the controversy.

“We're very focused on Valentine's right now, but I think the new marketing is great and it's created a buzz,” Spackman said.

Maggie Wu and her three-year-old children said the animals have become their favorite since they were discovered a week ago.

“I love it, he loves it, it shows every time we go in. It shows animals,” Wu said. “It's very attractive, I think it's great.”

Critics say the market has cut off their social media feed. According to Catling, the market has responded to critics and is now focusing on its vendors and customers.

“Honestly, just to have a little fun, to have some crazy fun,” Catling said. “There's something for everyone at the Calgary Farmers Market.”

– With Associated Press files