Eagle-eyed netizens quickly pointed out the errors in the AI-generated photos Melbourne Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece shared on social media. - NICHOLAS_REECE/X
MELBOURNE: Artificial intelligence (AI) can sometimes be, well, unintelligent. Melbourne Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece, seeking re-election at the polls in October, learnt this the hard way on Sept 22 when he shared four images on X, along with a pledge to build 28 new parks in the city if he wins.
The AI-generated photos of the proposed parks featured people at playgrounds, green spaces and on outdoor benches, which Reece said would “make us the Garden City”.
But something just did not seem right with the rendered images.
And eagle-eyed netizens quickly let Reece know through replies on his post.
One highlighted a “dead man” lying on the ground in front of children at a playground.
Another pointed out how a woman sitting on a bench appeared to have both her legs fused into one, while another had two arms attached to a single shoulder.
In one of the images, a man appears to be taking a shoe, balancing on its toe, for a walk in the park.
Many found humour in the bizarre images.
X user MythicallyMad wrote: “Is this after the nukes hit Melbourne, nature takes it back, and only the mutants survive?”
Another user, ApeGotFire, wrote: “Bro, you need to get these people to a hospital.”
Aside from those who ridiculed the AI fails, other netizens who commented under Mr Reece’s post reacted negatively to his decision to use “embarrassing” and “creepy” AI-generated images.
User Nicolearcher wrote: “Do you not have enough money to pay concept artists?”
“For the love of god please hire an actual digital illustrator,” user TheSaltminer said.
In response to the online mockery, Mr Reece posted a photoshopped image on X of a robot, red flying vehicle and a black panther at a park on Sept 23.
He wrote: “I see there’s a bit of commentary about the renders for the 28 new parks I’ll get built if I’m re-elected Mayor. You guys should’ve seen the originals!”
He also joked that “no humans were harmed in the making of these renders”.
According to Australian media 9News, an architectural firm was asked by Mr Reece’s election campaign to produce the images.
The Guardian reported that there are no rules in Australia against using AI generated images in election campaigns.
After Reece’s faux pas, perhaps there ought to be. - The Straits Times/ANN
