Discussion
Who else is noticing AI-generated illustrations in the real world appearing at new hairdressers, ice-cream parlors, kebap shops, butcheries, everywhere?
Sure, there's no reason why AI slop should be confined to the online world. But as long as I will still be able to distinguish AI signs from non-AI signs, I will consider these AI stores/restaurants as inferior quality. Is that wrong?
No, I handle that the same.
@mellifluousbox There is, of course, another way of looking at it.
Micro businesses that cannot afford the prices graphic designers charge and don't have the artistic skills themselves can now have their ideas created for them to promote their businesses for free or at minimal cost.
Of course, the quality of artwork is subjective. What one individual thinks is naff, another will think is brilliant. 🤷🏻♂️
@mellifluousbox You have to wonder what's wrong with their actual IRL products and services, don't you?
@mellifluousbox we have actual brick-and-mortar stores here that sell prints of "artwork" that is not just AI-generated but in fact never even looked at by a human. Cows with 3 horns and 5v legs, that kind of thing. Proudly displayed in the shop window...
And the tourists still go in. Enough people go on holiday to switch their brains off, to make it a viable business.
It indicates a lack of taste. Whether you care if they have taste or not is a free preference.
@mellifluousbox it's not only you! There's a thread by @jasonkoebler.bsky.social all about this, with crowd sourced examples.
@mellifluousbox I recently saw a huge ad at a European airport, prominently featuring a happy customer. From afar, it felt the usual bit over-the-top, but passing the ad nearby, strange skin and hair follicle details made it feel rather nightmare-ish.
This ad budget worked, but in the wrong direction.
@mellifluousbox It would actually deter me from going there, but, I would also want to tell the proprietor that, yeah, this is discouraging me from coming back.
@mellifluousbox
Tbh if i can avoid places with AI generated Illustrations, i'll do it.
I *understand* why small Business try to use it, but on the other Hand, it looks cheap and i got the same feeling about Bad quality for the shop as you
@mellifluousbox
Someone I know keeps seeing them at a playgroup or toy library or something, big murals aimed at kids but the animals are all freaky hybrids 🫠
@mellifluousbox Not wrong, I feel the same pretty much. For me the use of GenAi screams of sloppiness and lack of quality. If you don't put effort to your ad, why would you put effort into your product / service?
Anyone can make a simple ad with free online tools and templates without AI. No money or artistic skill needed, just a little bit of time.
@mellifluousbox Well, let's look at it from this point of view, we are currently in the year 2026...
That's all the explanation that I see necessary, so no, you aren't wrong.
@mellifluousbox I have seen AI generated "sacred" images proudly (?) being displayed in smaller churches in Italy... But that doesn't really make me believe any less in the legends, zero is already zero;) But sure, it is horrible just from a cultural appreciation point of view.
@mellifluousbox AI slop is indeed sadly everywhere in my Italian region. I noticed that shops even sell "Italian brainrot" merch 😩
@mellifluousbox yup. went to a tourist shop on vacation last week, and it's not like I expected quality or anything, but the quantity of AI slop on T-shirts, postcards, etc. was quite disheartening
@mellifluousbox Yeah its kinda gross, and you are not wrong!
@dansup @mellifluousbox Well if they put better effort into the prompts it wouldn't be as gross, but nope, people put in sloppy prompts, they get sloppy results.
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