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The social media debate over artificial intelligence is sparking a broader discussion about how small businesses in Northern Ontario market themselves.
Victoria Savage, owner of Rustic Rebel Sourdough in the Greater Sudbury community of Capreol, recently defended her use of AI-generated images after receiving criticism online.
”“There’s no need to spend thousands of dollars making food you’ll never eat just to get the perfect photo or hiring an agency to create a slick ad,” she wrote.Monday’s Facebook post.
The post received hundreds of responses and dozens of comments, with some supporting her use of AI and others saying they would rather local businesses hire local artists and designers.
Savage said she primarily posts photos she takes herself and only uses AI to promote products before they are released.
“This was the only time I actually used it. [AI] It’s about promoting what’s going to happen, giving hints and foretelling of what’s going to happen,” she said.
A recent post featured AI-generated images of breakfast and lunch sandwiches that the bakery plans to start selling.
Ms Savage said she was disappointed by some of the reactions online and said hiring a photographer or designer was not economically viable for her business.
“Every penny counts in my business at this point, and if I have to take advantage of a tool that saves me money or time, I’m going to take advantage of it. That makes sense,” she said.
Stephanie Hrechka, a graphic design professor at Cambrian University in Sudbury and co-owner of Side Eye Press, said she understands why some small business owners are turning to AI.
“I think this speaks volumes about how a lot of small businesses are feeling. We’re in a slow economy and may be starting to feel a little strained financially,” she said.
But Hrechka said he believes AI-generated marketing can run counter to the credibility many customers expect from small businesses.
“If someone sees that, they might think, ‘Oh, that feels a little dishonest to you as a person. What else is dishonest about your brand?'” she says.
Hrechka said companies that don’t have the budget to hire a designer should not assume that AI is the only option and instead try to do the work themselves.
“I don’t feel like it’s a personal invitation, but [something] I wrote it by hand,” she said.
“So for those who feel like, [AI] In reality, they’re going to bring in more customers and draw even more people into their business, but I just want to say that I would think the opposite. ”
