Council criticised for ‘AI slop’ library mural

Brisbane City Council has been criticised for using artificial intelligence to generate a mural in the children’s section of the renovated Bulimba Library.

Local artist Sophie Beer slammed the mural online, labelling it “AI slop”.

“C’mon, guys,” she said. “There are hundreds if not thousands of Brisbanites who could have drawn something better.”

Locals on social media noted details that did not make sense, including a cockatoo with three wings, a seagull with a cockatoo’s beak, illegible writing on the CityCat and the warping on the Story Bridge and ferris wheel.

The council has confirmed the mural was made using AI, but claimed it is temporary.

“A temporary illustration has been installed, while plans for permanent artwork are finalised,” a council spokesperson said.

“We’re looking forward to engaging a local artist to create something special for the space that families can enjoy for years to come.”

Chair of the customer services committee, and councillor for Jamboree Ward, Sarah Hutton spoke of the site’s long arts history at the council meeting on November 3.

Hutton touted a mural in the courtyard by artist Ryan Barwick, inspired by the history of Bulimba.

She also posted about the downstairs mural online.

The Bulimba Library is on the former site of the Bulimba School of Arts, which was built in 1887.

The building was taken over by council in the 1960s, and demolished in 1982.

In the council meeting, Hutton said the library “had outgrown” the building by the 1980s, and reopened in its current form in 1985.

In the same meeting, council’s Labor opposition leader Jared Cassidy criticised the allowance of AI in council’s Brisbane Portrait Prize.

Earlier this year, a Brisbane business was accused of using artificial intelligence to rip off an artist’s work.

Author and illustrator Megan McKean said she discovered the mural featuring an original artwork from her 2018 Bristopia exhibition inside the newly opened Yogii & Yoii store on Racecourse Road in Ascot in January.

McKean said the business used the design without her permission or payment, and removed it but replaced it with a generative AI reproduction.

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