AI is becoming increasingly prevalent around the world and now it looks like it's making its way into the GAA in the form of program covers.
A tradition for fans is to pick up a show on the way to a game, usually to see interesting information about the team or players, or to see what's going on around the team in general.
That's why so many people were baffled yesterday when Belfast Live journalist Paddy Tierney shared the cover of the matchday program for the Tyrone v Kerry U20 All-Ireland football final. Many said this was not a traditional cover for his GAA program and looked more like an AI-generated one.
This is without a doubt the worst design of an All-Ireland final program I have ever seen. What's wrong with a photo of captain Rob Stack and Michael Lafferty on the cover on what was a proud day for the club? pic.twitter.com/hrxO8cJHr2
— Paddy Tierney (@PaddyTierney21) May 19, 2024
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Irish artist Barry Masterson pointed out how the GAA has previously used AI in its matchday program images, and how this can be seen in the cover. He also criticized the GAA for not commissioning specific Irish GAA artists to cover these programmes.
That's true @officialgaa Are you using AI art now? There are many Irish artists who specialize in GAA illustration. You can request or support them.
Things are tough at the best of times, but if this is something we have to look forward to, we honestly might just have to squeeze in at this pace 😭 pic.twitter.com/v4eVAxk80k
— Barry Masterson🎨⚽ (@BarryMasterson) May 18, 2024
I especially love the way the throw disappears into someone's paws and the mask that breaks through the face looks painful.I know the hurlers are tough, but this could push the story forward pic.twitter.com/LkYM5FN2Ue
— Barry Masterson🎨⚽ (@BarryMasterson) May 18, 2024
A GAA spokesperson said in a statement that the use of AI was just a new idea that was being trialled.
We are always trying out new ideas for Match Program covers and this was a case of experimentation with our publishing partner's graphic designer.
It's never a great idea to use AI when the GAA, being a national sport and government funded, should be considering using Irish artists. Hopefully this is the end of AI on GAA programs and we will never have to see masks disappear on players' faces again.
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