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The River City Fair will take place in Hoboken on Saturday, September 26th. There will be vendors, live music, food trucks, and more. But something that won’t be a part of the event is AI-generated art or images. The policy is part of the vendor application for the event. Read on for more about the ban on AI-generated art and images at the River City Fair in Hoboken.
About the River City Fair
The free, family-friendly event will take place on Saturday, September 26, along Sinatra Drive from First Street to Fifth Street from 12PM to 5PM.
According to the City of Hoboken, the River City Fair was first established on Hoboken’s waterfront in the 1970s, as the city and local advocates transformed its shoreline and working waterfront into a destination for public recreation, cultural programming, and community events. The festival brought residents and visitors to the waterfront for a combination of live entertainment, arts programming, environmental activities, local vendors, and family-friendly attractions.
Read more: Ding Dong, the Witch is Wed: How Glinda the Good Witch Tied the Knot in Hoboken
As Hoboken’s waterfront and public event programming evolved, the River City Fair transitioned into the Fall Arts & Music Festival in the mid-1990s. While the name and location changed, the event continued its mission of showcasing artists, musicians, businesses, and bringing neighbors together.
AI Ban
Vendor applications opened for the event in early August. One of the requirements for craft + artist vendors is that they submit photos of their studio space, their work, themselves creating the work, and their booth displays.
Per the application materials, “Crafters and artists must submit photos of their studio space, photos of themselves creating their work, as well as photos of their products and booth display. AI-generated artwork, whether partially or fully created using Artificial Intelligence, is not permitted. The event producer will make the final determination regarding acceptability.”
The policy has also drawn some local attention online. Hoboken AI Slop, an Instagram account that calls attention to AI-generated imagery being used around Hoboken, shared the River City Fair policy to its Instagram Stories and responded simply, “Bravo.”
Other categories of vendors are also prohibited from using AI-generated images and materials. “You may only exhibit or sell items listed on your application. Please be as specific as possible and include all items in your submitted photos. Material created partially or entirely by Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not permitted. The event producer will be the sole judge of acceptability.”
See more: The Best Places to Read a Book at the Jersey Shore
It’s unclear whether the ban on AI-generated material applies to images for food + beverage truck menus. The Hoboken Girl has reached out to the City of Hoboken + Mayor Jabbour’s office for more information about how this decision came to be.
AI Backlash
At the same time that the use of AI is growing, a backlash is growing against the technology. Many people are conflicted about using AI tools based on ethical + environmental concerns.
The Hoboken Girl team put together a list of local artists to use instead of AI, since we generally think people should look local first.
Marilyn Baer, spokesperson for the City of Hoboken, shared the following quote about the City’s rationale to ban AI materials in vendor applications. ” The decision to prohibit AI-generated artwork and products at the River City Fair is intended to create a place where local artists, makers, and craftspeople can share their original work directly with the community. We want the fair to celebrate the creativity and skill of the people who make the items they sell.
At a time when artists are increasingly competing with AI-generated content, we’re committed to providing opportunities for artists and makers to have their work seen, valued, and purchased. We’re proud to provide a venue where residents can also meet the people behind the work and learn about their creative process.”
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