New Generative AI Policy

We believe that when generative AI replaces the creative process with a ‘creative-looking’ output, it damages creativity. Its use undervalues human creative labour, reduces opportunities for skilled creatives to earn a living, and is often built upon existing work without meaningful credit, compensation, or consent. It also risks eroding creative skills, which could mean less artists in the future.

It’s also not good marketing - as synthetic content increasingly fills our public spaces, much of it starts to look the same. At a time when promotional material needs to stand out, AI-generated posters blend in.

We never knowingly use AI to create our own posters, illustrations or promotional artwork. But as more and more groups are asking us to share AI-generated posters on their behalf, the time has come to say something.

We now ask that posters to be displayed in The Rockfield Centre are not created using AI image generators, and that posters featuring our logo do not use AI generated imagery - wherever they are ultimately displayed. AI posters left in the centre will now be removed, and we will not be able to share them online for you.

We’re not saying “don’t use AI” and leaving you to it tho…

If you need help, we can connect you with a local designer or illustrator. We’re creating an online list of local creatives to make them easier to find and commission (and if you’re a creative and would like to be included, please get in touch!)

We’re also working with local creatives to deliver a free short course for volunteers who want to learn to make posters without generative AI.

And in the meantime, our design team can offer basic non-generative design support where cost or experience is a barrier.

We know people have different views on generative AI. We’re not asking everyone to share ours, just making a choice about the creative work we want to support and display here at Rockfield.

For us, it’s about backing creative people, keeping those skills alive locally, and making sure artists and designers can still be paid for what they do.

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We understand AI has other uses. This is specifically about generative AI posters / art.