Wizards of the Coast Finally Acknowledges Use of AI in Crafting Magic: TCG Artwork
Contrary to their initial denial, Wizards of the Coast now acknowledges employing AI in the creation of a Magic: TCG image Admitting their earlier mistake, they clarify their marketing image was indeed AI-generated
Wizards of the Coast, the creators of Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: The Gathering, have admitted to using artificial intelligence to create a marketing image, retracting their earlier denial. In a social media post, the company stated, "We apologize for our earlier mistake in denying the use of AI in creating the marketing image we posted."
Artwork for a Magic: TCG book has come under fire for allegedly being created using AI. Wizards of the Coast acknowledged that "it looks like some AI components" were utilized, citing the generative AI feature in Adobe's Photoshop as a possible tool. However, the company emphasized that a human was still responsible for the overall image creation.
As a response to the controversy, the company stated, "While the art came from a vendor, it's on us to make sure that we are living up to our promise to support the amazing human ingenuity that makes Magic great." They also reiterated their stance on the use of AI generative tools, making it clear that contributors to the Magic TCG are required to refrain from using such technology in the final Magic products.
Moving forward, Wizards of the Coast stated that they are re-evaluating their working relationship with vendors for various creative projects, including marketing images, and not just limited to products.
In a now-deleted tweet, Wizards of the Coast defended the marketing image, explicitly stating, "This artwork was made by people, not AI."
Wizards of the Coast and Xbox both faced backlash for utilizing AI-generated content. Microsoft, a major investor in AI technology, aims to integrate AI into all its future products. Hasbro, the parent company of Wizards of the Coast, is currently in the process of cutting hundreds of jobs.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z fan of Magic: The Gathering, I feel disappointed and betrayed by Wizards of the Coast's initial denial of using AI in their artwork. The fact that they tried to pass off AI-generated images as human-made is not only dishonest but also devalues the hard work and creativity of human artists. It's disheartening to see a company that has built its reputation on imagination and storytelling resort to using AI as a shortcut.
However, I appreciate Wizards of the Coast's admission of their mistake and their commitment to supporting human ingenuity. It's important for companies to be transparent about their use of AI and to ensure that AI is used ethically and responsibly. I hope that Wizards of the Coast will learn from this experience and continue to prioritize the talent and creativity of human artists in the future.
