Posters on the third floor of Howard Hall containing artificial intelligence-generated imagery were defaced with phrases like “AI SLOP” and “trash.” Jeff Karnicky, the chair of Drake University’s English department, sent out an email about the incident to English and women’s and gender studies students — who have classes in Howard — on Feb. 17.
“If you or someone you know did this, please note that there are more productive ways to express your opinions about the use of AI,” Karnicky said in the email.
The department removed the defaced posters. However, because of how the posters were adhered, facilities will have to repaint the wall.
English professor Jeanette Tran said the posters, which described literary elements, were bought by Administrative Assistant Holly Boorman on Etsy from RadTutorGallery. Each poster included an image that illustrated the theme. Karnicky confirmed that these images were made with AI.
Junior English major Briana Romero was one of the first people to see the vandalism. She reported it to Tran to get them removed.
“I was perturbed, because there could’ve been a better way for the person to get their anti-AI message across,” Romero said. “There are so many better ways to go about something like that. Admin and the department chair are literally down the hall from where it happened, too.”
Karnicky reported this incident to open a case with Drake Public Safety.
“[Public Safety] asked me for the value of the posters. The posters were bought in a packet and cost $14.99,” Karnicky said in an email interview.
Romero said AI usage has brought up red flags in terms of credibility, especially when it comes to the English department.
“English, literature and writing pathways are experiencing the negative aspects of AI. This whole situation is an example of that,” Romero said.