L.A. Metro skewered for AI-generated Dodger Dog art

LA Metro’s attempt to capitalize on the Dodgers’ World Series hoopla is going sideways on social media.

On Friday, just hours before the start of Game One, the public transit agency posted an AI-generated comic book-style image on X, formerly Twitter, depicting a Dodger Dog and Dodgers fans riding a New York subway.

The caption reads, “Gotham subway next week,” with a series of emojis.

“For those keeping score at home, the ask of AI was: Create a funny illustration of a Dodger Dog riding the New York subway to Yankee Stadium for a World Series game,” LA Metro explained in a reply. “and: reviewed by an in-house designer who did question the ability of a hot dog to navigate the byzantine new york subway system. concern vetoed.”

Aside from some AI mishaps with the artwork itself—one Yankees logo says “Dodgers,” and a sign appears to read “Yank Yors” —commenters are criticizing LA Metro for using Artificial Intelligence in the first place.

“Please stop with the AI stuff. Hiring actual artists has historically worked much better for Metro campaigns!” one X user, Ho Chi Rin, replied.

“Love ya, thanks for all ya do for the city. But AI art sucks and steals from hardworking people,” wrote another user, Luis. “Please support artists like you do when it comes to the art at stations and your tap cards. Not like this.”

“Super disappointing that Metro is doubling down on the use of AI-generated images. Aside from AI training on actual artists’ work without their permission or $, it’s gross for a public transit agency to add to the unnecessary energy usage of AI and its environmental impacts,” wrote Tyler.

LA Metro has not responded to the AI complaints. KTLA reached out to the transit agency for comment.

On Thursday, LA Metro posted another AI-generated image of “monster traffic” to highlight the gridlock expected Friday when the World Series coincides with a Lakers game at Crypto.com Arena and a USC football game at the LA Memorial Coliseum, among other events.

The use of generative AI has become a contentious issue in Hollywood. In 2023, both actors and writers went on strike, in part, over fears that AI would eliminate jobs.

In July of this year, video game voice actors and motion-capture performers represented by SAG-AFTRA went on strike over similar concerns.