More than a dozen homes and businesses were targeted
AI graffiti(Image: Submitted )
“Childish” graffiti attacks warning of AI taking over everyone’s jobs have appeared on 15 buildings across south east Cornwall.
Pictures posted to social media show a large skull and bones with the message “AI will replace you!” spray painted in black onto different buildings.
Residents from Torpoint, Polbathic, Looe, and Hessenford notice the strange message appear on buildings between Christmas Eve and Boxing Day.
Police believe the graffiti was committed late at night or during the early hours.
Local pub The Halfway House posted an AI generated image of The Grinch climbing a ladder at the front of the pub, where vandals wrote the anti-AI message.
Posting the image to Facebook, it said: “Considering the message, We asked AI what it thought of the graffiti and this is what it pumped out!!
“Pleased to say all is back to ‘normal’ thanks to our incredible community who spent Christmas Day helping us get rid of this childish vandalism!
“A word to the artist – there is no better place than a pub to discuss your opinion, but next time pop in and do it at the bar with the rest of us. There’s a few here keen to meet you!!”
Other locals have said: “Idiot has spoilt our village with mindless graffiti again. We are hardly an AI centre.”
Anther person said: “What’s with all the graffiti? I’ve seen two buildings this morning with big black writing on them saying ‘AI WILL REPLACE YOU'”.
Councillor Kate Ewert said: “It’s really upsetting to see the graffiti that has been daubed over so many businesses and homes across the division in the early hours of Christmas morning. This is undoubtedly a planned and coordinated effort that will have real life consequences to families and to family businesses.
“I’ll be working with the Looe West and Deviock Cornwall Cllr, Mark Gibbons, who kindly went out yesterday and recorded and reported all of it, and with local police to try and get this sorted.
“Whatever your thoughts on AI, this is not the way to make them known. This action will have impacts of small businesses that are at the heart of our communities.”
A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesperson said: “We have received 15 reports of criminal damage committed in the areas of Polbathic, Seaton, Downderry, Hessenford, Widegates, Crafthole and Looe.
“All occurred sometime on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or Boxing Day and all are thought to have been committed late at night or in the early hours.
“Both publicly and privately-owned buildings and structures have been targeted. Enquiries are ongoing.
“We urge anyone who has been the victim of such damage to report it to us; you may have vital information that could assist. We believe there are several further related offences that haven’t yet been reported.
“Anyone with information is also asked to get in touch.
“We are particularly interested in hearing from anyone who may have CCTV or doorbell footage of people or vehicles seen in suspicious circumstances in these areas during the times in question.
“Contact police via our website or by calling 101, quoting reference 50250328700 “.
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