The University of Northern Colorado's Performing and Visual Arts department has recently begun using AI-created artwork in its promotional ads. This is deeply concerning, especially since the university has so many talented student and faculty artists. Employing AI-created content in place of actual artwork overlooks the very artists that the department should be promoting.

Art created by AI is inherently imperfect. It can't truly create; instead, it appropriates enormous amounts of already-existing artwork and reproduces it basically legalizing art theft. In addition, AI in the arts has the potential to eradicate job opportunities for artists, eliminating those who have invested time and effort honing their skill. As an arts-proud university, UNC should be doing everything in its power to help human artists, not replace them.

Aside from ethical concerns, AI also has severe environmental consequences. The processing power used in AI training and image generation consumes vast amounts of energy and water, which result in resource depletion and contamination.

We appeal to UNC's Performing and Visual Arts program to end the use of AI-generated artwork and offer financial support instead to the talented artists in the university. There are many students who would willingly contribute artwork, most times for very little or even no fee. Supporting original artists promotes creativity, integrity, and sustainability—things that should be at the forefront of an arts program. We encourage UNC to reach out to student artists and commission them. This is a mutually beneficial deal, the student gets experience and UNC gets artwork for a decent price. 

Sign this petition to urge UNC to keep its dedication to the arts and avoid the use of AI-created content in its marketing

Linked to this is an image used to promote one of the jazz concerts here. Initially it doesn't seem bad, however if you take a closer look the issues become glaringly obvious. The astronauts head is seemingly on backwards and the lighting is inconsistent. This is just one of many examples of AI generated images being used to promote PVA events at UNC.