AI has become more and more prevalent in the world and now it seems to have seeped its way into the GAA in the form of programme front covers..
A tradition for fans is to pick up a programme on the way to the match, normally to look at the squads and any interesting tidbits about the players or what's going on around the team in general.
That's why many were bemused when yesterday Belfast Live journalist Paddy Tierney shared the cover of the matchday programme for Tyrone-Kerry in the U20 All-Ireland football final. It wasn't a conventional front cover for a GAA programmes and many said it looked like it was AI generated.
Hands down the worst design for an All-Ireland final programme I've ever seen. What's wrong with a photo of captains Rob Stack and Michael Rafferty gracing the front cover on a proud day for their clubs? pic.twitter.com/hrxO8cJHr2
— Paddy Tierney (@PaddyTierney21) May 19, 2024
Irish Artist Barry Masterson pointed out how the GAA have previously used AI for their imagery in matchday programmes and how telling it is once you actually look at the cover. He also criticised the GAA for not commissioning Irish GAA specific artists for these programme covers.
So are @officialgaa using AI art now? There are a ton of Irish artists who specialise in GAA illustration you could commission and support.
Things are tough at the best of times but I might have to pack it in at this rate honestly if this is what we have to look forward to 😭 pic.twitter.com/v4eVAxk80k
— Barry Masterson🎨⚽ (@BarryMasterson) May 18, 2024
I especially love the hurl that disappears into someone's flesh ball, and the masks tearing through their faces, looks painful. I know hurlers are tough but this might be pushing the narrative pic.twitter.com/LkYM5FN2Ue
— Barry Masterson🎨⚽ (@BarryMasterson) May 18, 2024
A spokesperson for the GAA gave a statement saying the use of AI was just a new idea they had been conducting on a trial basis.
We are constantly trialling new ideas for our match programme covers and this was a case of experimentation from our publishing partners’ graphic designers
It's far from great for the GAA to be using AI when as the national sport and government funded, they should be looking to use Irish artists. Hopefully this can be the end of AI on GAA programmes and we don't have to see any masks disappearing into players' faces again.
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