GA(AI): Not so intelligent

What to make of the news that the GAA used AI generated imagery on a programme. As noted in the Irish News:

The GAA has said the use of artwork created by Artificial Intelligence (AI) for match programmes was “experimentation” after the images were criticised by artists and fans.

Comic book-style AI illustrations featured on the cover of the matchday programme for Sunday’s Tyrone vs Kerry U20 All-Ireland football final in the U20 All-Ireland football final.

Imagery created by AI also featured on the cover of the programme for Clare vs Tipperary in the Munster hurling minor final earlier this month.

On Saturday, the images were shared on social media by artist Barry Masterson, who has produced artwork for soccer match programmes published by the FAI.

Problem being, well, manyfold. Firstly the imagery wasn’t much good:

The Co Longford-born artist criticised the covers and other imagery featuring in the programmes, which included glaring errors typical of AI ‘art’. In one image, the bar on a faceguard of a hurler appeared to enter his mouth. In another the fist of a player appeared misshapen, which is common in such imagery as current AI software often has difficulty recreating accurate hands and feet.

As Masterson noted, though, there’s ‘a ton of Irish artists who specialise in GAA illustration you could commission and support’.

Elsewhere he noted:

Other things pointed out included ‘gibberish’ language on helmets and soccer goals in the background. 

“The reaction has been – a much bigger reaction than I expected honestly,” Barry said.

“On a weekend like this – there’s a tonne of matches. Each match needs a match programme.”

“I totally understand they probably have deadlines they need to hit.”

“It felt like a bit of disrespect to their customers that they don’t think people deserve something better than this.”

“They decided to use A.I. art without understanding the implications.”

Despite being somewhat sympathetic for the deadlines, Barry said it’s a bit of a worrying trend for freelance illustrators.

“Nobody is being paid for their labour. I think it’s absolutely fine when the programmes feature photography.”

The GAA’s response?

Responding to the criticisms, a GAA spokesperson said: “We are constantly trialling new ideas for our match programme covers and this was a case of experimentation from our publishing partners’ graphic designers.”