Wizards of the Coast, behind Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: The Gathering, recently stirred controversy for incorporating AI-generated artwork in a D&D guidebook. Although the company apologized for the mishap, it has again come under fire. This time, promotional imagery for Magic: The Gathering is under scrutiny for alleged AI art usage.
Initially, Wizards of the Coast refuted allegations concerning AI art use; however, they acknowledged the mistake and apologized to their community via their website. The company's statement is as follows:
"It's been our policy to ask that artists, writers, and other creative talents involved with Magic: The Gathering refrain from utilizing AI-generated tools for producing final Magic products. What's become clear is our need to refine our collaborations with external vendors, particularly concerning creative output such as advertising imagery on digital platforms, to ensure we're championing the remarkable human creativity at the core of Magic."
"Just like many others, we're committed to better understanding AI's role in creative endeavors. We advocate for greater openness and improved communication about AI's role in these processes. While we cannot guarantee flawlessness, particularly as AI becomes more integrated into common software like Photoshop, our goal is always to prioritize art and artists created by humans."
Beyond the AI art issue, Wizards of the Coast is confronting other challenges, such as backlash regarding changes to the Open Game License, staff reductions, and other concerns—additional negative publicity the company could do without.