Art students criticize the recent usage of AI-generated art by UMKC’s official Instagram

  In a recent Instagram post, UMKC hopped on a trend of relying on AI-generated art of UMKC students and KC memorabilia. Some students are calling it “lazy” and a potential deterrent to incoming students at UMKC.

  The post, published on April 11, features a “student starter pack” where characters represent UMKC students alongside Kasey the kangaroo, UMKC’s mascot. KC and UMKC landmarks such as a Nelson shuttlecock, the streetcar, the Western Auto sign and the R1 logo. 

  Stacy Downs, the director of strategic communications at UMKC, said that the university encourages students to share ideas and that a student was involved, but would not explain the role the student played. 

“We jumped on the fun of the AI-generated action figure social media trend, and we collaborated with a student to make this for us,” said Downs. 

  Celeste Michael, a senior sociology major who is an artist, said she was concerned about the lack of support for art students. She also works as a social media marketing manager for an unnamed office at UMKC. 

  “I’ve never once utilized AI to make a post because I am personally against it, and I also don’t think I need it to do my job,” said Michael. “As a playwright, it feels like it’s jeopardizing my creative ability, and it also minimizes the amount of effort and the amount of talent and the amount of education that I’ve put into this.” 

  Linkedin, Instagram and other platforms have been swarmed with these lifelike action figures of people, their jobs and as celebrities. This raises concerns about the role of AI in relation to art and other creative pursuits, at least according to junior Emmanuel Fabian.  

  “In the medical field, AI is something that can really benefit a lot of people. It can save a lot of lives,” said Fabian, a communications and Spanish major. “There are some fields where it doesn’t really have a place [AI], like art or filmmaking. Whenever it’s just generated by code, it doesn’t feel right.” 

  Under UMKC’s Instagram post, there are over 70 comments criticizing the university for using AI instead of reaching out to the Media, Art and Design program or other student artists to design something unique. Additionally, some pointed out a typo in the generated post in the first slide where it reads “Researn,” instead of “Research.”

  Victor Williams, a junior art history and French major, said that art has played a major role in his life and “humanity’s instinct has been to create.” Williams is concerned about the decrease of thoughtful examination and a rise of anti-intellectualism, a disdain for intellectuals or intellect often discouraging critical thinking. 

  “The university using AI instead of artists is lazy and reductive. It speaks volumes when a university, a place that is supposed to nurture thought, hard-work, build connections, and so much more throws that completely out the window,” said Williams. “It [The Instagram post]can indirectly promote the usage of AI, because if a university, a hub for intellectuals, is using it then it’s obviously ok if I do it, right?” 

 College decision day, where most colleges open applications for incoming students, is on May 1 and is the deadline for transfer students at UMKC. Michael explained that the usage of AI-generated art could push away incoming students, or it would have if she was.

“If the university is desiring to recruit and retain students, I think understanding the student point of view on this issue is very important,” said Michael. “If I was a student enrolling in UMKC and choosing between two universities, I probably wouldn’t choose it either.”

alwngm@umsystem.edu