Over the past year, artificial intelligence has made significant strides in knowledge, capabilities, and artistic output. AI-generated art is created by inputting prompts, allowing the software to produce images — often in seconds. This has sparked concern among artists who spend hours or days crafting their work by hand. Locally, some school clubs have embraced AI art in their advertising, but that has raised the question: Does AI-generated art belong in our school? And why rely on it when students certified in graphic design are available?
One example came from the District AI Focus Group, which used AI art in a poster featuring an image that resembled me. At least 15 people have approached me about it, though I’d never heard of the group until then. While the resemblance was unsettling, some might excuse it since it came from a club specifically focused on AI.
More recently, another AI-generated image was used in a library ad reminding students to return their books. The image featured a person who closely resembled Ray Senior Emiliano Cavazos. “Again? Why do these all look like me?” Cavazos remarked. The library has no clear link to AI, prompting students to question the decision—especially given the school’s graphic design program, filled with students eager to gain real-world experience.
It’s controversial whether the school should be using AI art for advertising when there are students certified in graphic design who could benefit from designing ads for them. Opinions among students, however, are unclear. On one hand, as more AI advertisements appear at Ray, students are becoming less involved, but on the other hand, teachers may use AI when they want a design done quickly. Love it or hate it, AI art has taken hold of Ray.
Learn more about AI art in schools here.
