Fingal County Council under fire for uisng AI image for launch of new food market

Ken Foxe

A county council which used an image generated by artificial intelligence for a promo campaign said they were pressed for time and had no other pictures available.

Fingal County Council came under fire over the use of an AI image for the launch of a new food market at Swords Castle in North Dublin.

In internal emails, staff said the poster used was not “anyone’s favourite image” and that a “combination of factors” had led to it being created.

One message said they were working with a “tight deadline” and that because the market was brand new, there were no existing images.

An email said: “Our team had the plan to swap out that image with actual photography of the first event, possibly rotating in and out new images.”

The staff said there were a number of complaints about using AI for promotion.

One message sent to the council said: “The decision to use Al-generated imagery in a public arts context undermines the very spirit of creative and cultural expression that local councils should be championing.

“There are so many talented photographers, illustrators, and visual artists, many of whom live in our own community, who would jump at the chance for a commission like this.”

Responding to them, Fingal County Council said the concerns were being “taken seriously.”

An email said: “Given the tight deadline, they were left with limited options for the artwork [and] design approach. It is their intention to take a more creative approach once they have content e.g. photography from the markets.”

In later discussions however, one official queried whether they had done anything wrong.

They wrote to colleagues saying: “Wasn't aware that we're required to hire a designer nor that we're precluded from using Al-generated [material] but welcome any insights you have to share.”

Asked about the discussions, a spokesman for Fingal County Council said they had nothing further to add.