OVIEDO, Fla. — Oviedo city leaders are dealing with an unexpected controversy tied to the city’s centennial celebration.
What You Need To Know
Oviedo leaders discovered several mural submissions in a competition appeared to be created using artificial intelligence
City officials say the original contest rules did not specifically ban AI-generated artwork
The city’s Public Art Board has now issued a new call for proposals that clearly excludes AI
The debate highlights a growing national question about the role of artificial intelligence in public art
Leaders called on artists to design a mural representing Oviedo’s past, present and future.
What the city received, however, was unexpected.
Officials reviewing submissions for a new mural at Center Lake Park say several of the designs appeared to have been created using artificial intelligence instead of traditional artwork.
The discovery raised concerns about fairness and originality in the public art competition.
“So, this turtle, the head on it is the head of a bird,” said Oviedo City Council member Alan Ott while pointing out what appeared to be an AI-generated image.
City leaders say many of the submissions were possibly created with artificial intelligence, placing the competition in an unusual position.
“Well, I said, you know, specifically if we paint this on the wall that we will be mocked,” Ott said.
During a city council discussion, one leader added, “I personally, I would like to say no, I don’t think there’s not going to be AI on the wall when they paint it.”
Officials quickly realized that the original contest rules never specifically addressed AI-generated artwork.
Because of that, the city is now turning to its Public Art Board to revise the guidelines.
“They’re going to do a new call for proposals with different rules that exclude AI specifically,” Ott said.
Ott says Oviedo takes pride in its public art, with works displayed in council chambers and leaders regularly encouraging community art competitions.
But artificial intelligence is a new challenge that many communities are now facing.
At the University of Central Florida, Prof. Matt Dombrowski teaches a course focused on the topic.
“I teach a class called the Art of AI. It’s about the approach,” Dombrowski said.
His students recently discussed a scenario similar to the one unfolding in Oviedo and concluded AI can be complicated when it comes to public art competitions.
“There’s a lot of good things that came out of this,” Dombrowski said. “The rules are going to be a little bit tighter. They’re going to kind of understand what we are actually looking for this. So, we’re going to make sure to communicate that next time.”
Oviedo is not the only Central Florida city to face controversy tied to public art.
Last year, Apopka dealt with backlash after a downtown mural was accused of copying another artist’s work.
That mural was eventually painted over, and the city later cut funding to the organization involved.
Luis Rivera, who has been working on a new downtown art walk in Apopka, says originality should remain the priority.
“We wanted this artwork to be 100% original. That’s most important,” Rivera said.
Oviedo leaders say they hope clearer rules will prevent future confusion as the competition moves forward.
The winning artist will receive a $3,000 stipend along with up to $4,000 for materials.
The new deadline for submissions is March 31.