![\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/a16acd9624c06c51b211c9b07870461b.jpeg\"\/)
<\/p>\n
St\u00e9phanie Valenzuela, borough mayor of C.D.N.-N.D.G., displays a design for Phase 1 of the project to revive the Empress Theatre on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026.<\/p>\n
The theatre\u2019s iconic Egyptian Revival facade would be preserved during the demolition and serve as a backdrop to the new outdoor space, which is what the renderings illustrate.<\/p>\n
But when the borough posted the visuals to its Facebook page, commenters were quick to notice something was off.<\/p>\n
People and children depicted in the scenes had warped or contorted shapes. Their faces were mostly featureless, giving them an uncanny appearance.<\/p>\n
Several commenters criticized the borough for its \u201cblatant use\u201d of artificial intelligence, describing the visuals as \u201cAI slop\u201d and urging it to do better.<\/p>\n
\u201cAI-generated images, from a borough?\u201d\u00a0wrote one.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s hope the soul of the Empress Theatre doesn\u2019t fade away like the faces,\u201d added another.<\/p>\n
The renderings include a note stating they were \u201cretouched by AI.\u201d<\/p>\n
Responding to the comments below the Facebook post, the borough noted that only certain \u201catmospheric elements\u201d of the images were produced by artificial intelligence.<\/p>\n
Contacted for this report, a spokesperson for the borough said it complies with the City of Montreal\u2019s policy on artificial intelligence in any project.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the case of the Empress Theatre, the AI-generated tweaks are purely esthetic (adding people or adjusting lighting),\u201d they wrote. \u201cThe original 3D visuals are the result of work done by our in-house teams.\u201d<\/p>\n
The borough declined to comment any further on the negative reaction to the renderings.<\/p>\n
A spokesperson for the City of Montreal said the city uses artificial intelligence \u201cethically and responsibly\u201d and regularly updates its guidelines.<\/p>\n
They did not specify whether it is common practice for the city to use AI-generated images when presenting new projects.<\/p>\n
The city pointed to the directive that governs its use of artificial intelligence in response.<\/p>\n
Under its guiding principles, the document says AI tools should only be used when they provide significant added value and when other \u201ctechnological solutions cannot effectively meet the identified needs.\u201d<\/p>\n
Asked about the use of AI-generated images in architectural renderings, the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects said the use of AI in design isn\u2019t inherently problematic.<\/p>\n
But the association also warned against potential pitfalls.<\/p>\n
\u201cDesign is complex and carries real-world implications that AI alone cannot address,\u201d wrote Hope Parnham, the society\u2019s manager of advocacy and strategic affairs.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe key issue isn\u2019t whether AI is used,\u201d Parnham added, \u201cbut how it is used and whether it supports professional practice and informed dialogue, or is intended to substitute for it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sieber said she is encouraged that people recognized aspects of the renderings were AI-generated and suggested the city should learn from the experience.<\/p>\n
She noted how similar use of AI can contribute to some of the concerns surrounding the technology, particularly in terms of job loss. She questioned whether an urban designer or architect could have been employed to do the work instead.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the challenges will be when it\u2019s no longer easy to detect that it\u2019s AI slop, but it\u2019s still taking someone\u2019s job,\u201d Sieber added.<\/p>\n
In addition to her work at McGill, Sieber studies how local governments are implementing artificial intelligence.<\/p>\n
She argued the city should take a leading role in showing how to responsibly use AI, even if it means certain projects may take longer or cost more.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause if cities and governments don\u2019t push back, or don\u2019t establish good role models, who will?\u201d<\/p>\n