(ASBURY PARK, N.J.) – Asbury Park officials say city departments will no longer use generative artificial intelligence to create its own promotional flyers following criticism from residents and local artists over AI-generated artwork used to advertise city events.
The policy does not mean AI-generated graphics will disappear entirely from the city's social media accounts and other communications. Officials shared in a recent news release that the city will continue sharing promotional materials submitted by nonprofit organizations, community groups and other outside partners, even when those graphics may have been created using AI.
Deputy Mayor Amy Quinn addressed the issue Tuesday during “Coffee with a Council Member” at A Cup of Literature after OpGov.News asked about the city's use of AI-generated graphics. Quinn, who is running for mayor in the Nov. 3 election, stated from here on out the city will not use AI to generate flyers due to the backlash from the community, in a response to OpGov.News.
The discussion follows questions about whether artwork used to promote AP Porchfest was AI-generated, as well as the city's acknowledged use of AI for a recent Jazzfest flyer. Porchfest signs featuring the disputed artwork had been displayed throughout the city at locations where musicians were scheduled to perform. The Porchfest is now rescheduled to Halloween due to the forecasted storm this weekend.
Photo Credits: AP Porchfest
“We didn't do the flyer for porchfest,” said Quinn. “I think we can acknowledge Jazzfest. We should not have done that. We will never do it again. Internally, we sent an email, no more AI flyers. If you see flyers before, anything from August 1st back, those are old, and we've asked them to stop using them.”
However, Quinn distinguished between graphics produced by the city and those submitted by outside organizations.
“When people send us a flyer, I'm not saying we use AI, but we share,” added Quinn.
The city clarified that they will only share AI flyers from outside nonprofits, and some groups may not know if a volunteer in these organizations used AI.
Photo Credits: @CityofAsburyParkNJ Instagram/ Jazzfest flyer with comments concerned about generative AI use.
City Communications Manager Nathan McCallister said the city sometimes receives promotional material from outside groups whose organizers may not even know whether AI was used to create the artwork.
“Someone volunteered to make them a flyer,” McCallister said. “Nothing you see from my department will be an AI flyer. But, we do share information for other organizations that partner with the city for things.”
“We don’t like those flyers either. I think this is a problem that's going to solve itself at some point,” he added.
The discussion comes amid criticism from residents and artists who argue that a city known for its arts and music scene should rely on local artists rather than generative AI for promotional materials. Residents attending the “Coffee with a Council Member” offered solutions, instead of organizations using AI, they could use Photoshop, Canva, or get in contact with local artists.
“From what I'm seeing online –the anger about this– if you did have an opportunity for people to pitch you to do these flyers, there's so many artists that want to work out there,” said Dani Boglivi-Fiori, owner of Sweet Dani B Cookies on Bangs Ave.
Asbury Park residents attending Tuesday's event added that the city should have a list of people that would do flyers, so if the community has an event coming up they can pitch it to them.
Another resident was in defense, explaining that the costs of hiring an artist or graphic designer to make a flyer is around $500- $600, which some people don't have, compared to free AI.
“As somebody who donated plenty of my time in exchange for credit, where they say this is my poster, this is my business, I've done that a lot,” Boglivi-Fiori said. “And I feel like any upcoming artist might welcome that.”
In a city known for art and music with more than 10 art galleries, Asbury Park has an opportunity to represent their residents’ work in their communication techniques.
The city formally addressed the controversy Wednesday in a statement titled “Behind the Flyers: How Asbury Park Shares Event Graphics.”
“While a couple AI generated graphics slipped through over the summer for city events and messages, we're working with all departments to keep that kind of artwork out of official City communications going forward,” the city said.
The city added that they are happy to share flyers from community groups “just as they come to us,” but also invite residents to “support the talented artists.”
Questions about AI-generated artwork have extended beyond city-produced materials.
AP Porchfest replaced its original flyer on their Instagram account Wednesday, after questions were raised about whether its logo had been generated using AI. Jordan Modell, founder and organizer of AP Porchfest, said organizers did not knowingly use AI and had paid a graphic designer to create the artwork.
“Last night I was made aware there has been talk that our logo is Al-generated,” Modell said. “Our founding team would not knowingly use Al to create a logo, and in fact we paid a graphic designer; this is what we received and used.”
Modell said the organization was looking into the matter.
“Thank you for bringing up the question to us, and want you to know we're looking into it,” He added.
Photo Credits: @APPorchfest Instagram/ New Porchfest flyer
The Porchfest controversy is separate from the city's acknowledged use of AI for its Jazzfest promotion. Porchfest is now rescheduled to October 31 due to forecasted rainfall and flash flooding, according to Asbury Park Police Department.
“After talking with Asbury Park city officials and police and being formed about the dangers of down powerlines we put your safety first and for the first time have postponed Porchfest this weekend,” said Friday’s post. “The city was kind enough to allow us to do it on Halloween October 31 with the rain date of November 7. See you soon for a very spooky PorchFest!”
The debate also spread on social media this week after Instagram user @Joshyy.joshh posted a video Monday criticizing the use of generative AI in promotional materials for local events. The video drew comments from residents and artists who questioned why local artists were not being used to create the graphics.
Screenshots from @Joshyy.joshh’s Sept. 21 Instagram post featuring city residents who relate to the video’s message.
“This is regarding generative Al in visual advertisements used for city events,” @Joshyy.joshh said. “This is about work that can very much be done by a talented human artist, not a machine that makes ugly, unclear, uninspired visuals in .5 seconds that completely go against the spirit of Asbury Park.”
Screenshots from @Joshyy.joshh’s Sept. 21 Instagram post.
Artist and musician Mar Stellium responded to the post, saying local artists could have been approached instead.
“I know many artists who would've made a design for Porchfest free of charge without genAl. including myself,” Stellium said, in the comment. “But unfortunately, the organizations that are perpetuating the use of genAl generally have one thing in common: they are out of touch and do not have a pulse on the community of artists they claim to uplift. A great way to start is to actually include artists in these decisions.”
According to their most recent video, @Joshyy.joshh, encouraged artists to direct message him, as he is working on something to benefit local artists. He did not respond to OpGov.News’ request for comment in time for publication.
If you are an organization or business hosting a community event, consider reaching out to a local artist. Below are a few examples:
To add to or correct any information in this report, please get in touch with me at angelica.n@lead4earth.org. Story image photo courtesy of city of Asbury Park Instagram.
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