Update 09/01/2024: Wizards of the Coast has since issued a new statement, admitting that these images "may have included elements of generative AI". WotC adds that the image came from a vendor and that it will be "evaluating" how it works with its partners in the wake of this controversy. This will include making it clear that all MTG material, including advertisements, cannot include AI art. The company says that it will "always" side with "human-made art and artists".

Our amended report, including WotC's statement, follows.

Magic: the Gathering loses one of its artists, following allegations that Wizards of the Coast used AI-generated art in an ad campaign. The artist, Dave Rapoza, says that he's "done working for Wizards of the Coast", saying that the company "blatantly" went back on its pledge not to use AI art.

Rapoza has worked with Wizards of the Coast since 2007, and since then, has worked on more than 60 cards according to the MTG website. Many fans support the move, also frustrated to see that WotC is seemingly trying to sneak AI art past its audience. WotC has since admitted the image contained AI art, but says it came from one of its vendors.

Wizards of the Coast has previously said that the artists it works with must "refrain from using AI generative tools to create final Magic products".

Rapoza's statement comes in response to WotC's initial denial that its latest ad campaign features AI art. Many in the community remained sceptical, including Rapoza, as the artwork contains many mistakes that are often found in AI artwork.

"And just like that, poof, I’m done working for Wizards of the Coast," says Rapoza. "You can’t say you stand against this then blatantly use AI to promote your products, emails sent, good bye you all! [sic]"

Following this, Rapoza goes into more detail on why he's decided to leave. "I’m quitting because they took a moral stand against AI art like a week ago and then did this," he says. "If they said they were going to use AI that’s a different story, but they want to grandstand like heroes and also pull this, that’s goofball sh*t I won’t support."

The art in question is a render of what appears to be the inside of an old-fashioned building. The render is used to display some MTG cards, although it isn't the cards themselves that have attracted controversy. Instead, many fans point to strange mistakes in the setting, arguing that this was generated with AI. WotC denied this, saying, "This art was created by humans and not AI."

Rapoza also replied to this statement before confirming that he had quit. "Don’t play stupid, if you can’t admit this is obviously AI then I’m definitely done working with you all - don’t insult our intelligence."

Since then, WotC has issued a further statement, explaining how it will approach this issue going forward.

"What’s now apparent is that we need to update the way we work with vendors on creative beyond our products—like marketing images we use on social media—to make sure that we’re supporting the amazing human ingenuity that is so important to Magic," reads the statement. "Along with so many others, we also want to get better at understanding whether and how AI is used in the creative process. We believe everyone benefits from more transparency and better disclosure. We can’t promise to be perfect in such a fast-evolving space, especially with generative AI becoming standard in tools such as Photoshop, but our aim is to always come down on the side of human made art and artists."

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