Al art Illustrator blasts council's 'misguided' move

BRISTOL City Council has been accused of betraying the city’s values by appearing to have used AI to generate cover art for one of its own pamphlets.

- Angus MCINTYRE

The image features on the front page of a booklet promoting the Adult Learning courses, which include subjects such as painting and design.

Telltale signs that the image was Al-generated include the people featured having an incorrect number of fingers and toes, and a yellow hue which makes it look like something out of The Simpsons cartoons.

Adam Birch, a Bristol-based designer and illustrator, said the move was a kick in the teeth for the city’s creative community, even though he hoped the decision was “misguided’, rather than malicious.

“The whole point of the pamphlet was to advertise the creative courses across Bristol and other courses as well,’ Mr Birch said. “Something devoid of creativity is being used to promote creativity.”

Along with the cover art, about 10 other images inside the pamphlet appear to have been generated using AI, he added.

Mr Birch said he was especially upset about the sad irony of the council using AI to encourage people to take creative courses, particularly in a city like Bristol that celebrates its creative industries.