Businessman castigated for "dehumanised" AI-generated Glasgow mural

A Glasgow property developer faced outrage after sharing an AI-generated concept for a large city-centre mural that artists and residents slammed as “dehumanised”, highlighting fears that automation in public art erodes local culture and sidelines human creators. What happened Glasgow City Council approved plans for a large mural on Elmbank Street based on a concept image generated using artificial intelligence that included unlikely elements such as a bald eagle (of which there are none in Scotland) and a floating steam train. The proposal drew sharp online criticism from local artists and residents who said it lacked cultural relevance and emotional depth. Artists labelled it “soulless, banal and sterile” expressed frustration that AI had been used instead of human creativity. The businessman behind the proposal, Derek Paterson, defended the project by saying the AI image was only an indicative mock-up and that a human artist would create the final piece. The outcry highlighted wider unease about AI’s role in the arts and planning processes. Why it happened The controversy stems from the initial use of generative AI to create the mural concept, which many saw as prioritising convenience or cost-saving over human artistry and cultural authenticity. Critics argued that involving AI at the conceptual stage displaces artists, diminishes the value of human skill, and undermines the city’s rich artistic heritage. There was also a perception that decision-makers did not fully appreciate the significance of meaningful human involvement in public art. What it means For the general public: The fracas signals a shift toward "genericism," where local heritage is replaced by distorted, algorithmically generated stereotypes. For artists: It highlights a precarious future where human creativity is sidelined in the design phase, reducing professionals to mere "finishers" of machine-led concepts. For policymakers: It has led to calls from groups such as the Scottish Greens for a city-wide AI strategy. They argue that councils must implement "guardrails" to ensure that automation supports, rather than replaces, human labour and that public art remains a reflection of human rather than algorithmic effort. System 🤖 Unknown Developer: Country: Scotland Sector: Media/entertainment/sports/arts Purpose: Draft artwork design Technology: Generative AI Issue: Authenticity/integrity; Employment/labour

Date it happened

2026-01-01

Organisation involved

Derek Paterson

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