AI poster at Ohio State Fair contest wins 1st place

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — An AI generated Ohio State Fair poster is going viral online.

“It looks like the pigs are smiling. I am not sure they actually smile like that, especially when they are running around the track,” said David Waggoer, a fair attendee.


The annual art poster contest started in 2024.

This year’s theme is America's 250th birthday, along with the Ohio State Fair.

After this year’s winner used artificial intelligence in the competition, not everyone is celebrating.

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The winner took home a $1000 prize, which has caused lots of frustration and debate.

Fair organizers said the winner did not break the rules of this year’s contest by using AI.

A sign posted underneath the winning poster includes they will reconsider rules and prohibit the use of AI for future contests.

Ben Wayne and Dana Bauman are fairgoers that came to check the poster after seeing it circulate online.

“There's a bunch of beautiful art from a bunch of kids that have made incredible pieces of work. Then there's this that looks flat, bland, and somehow cobbled together in a way that does not feel like it involves human ingenuity,” said Wayne.

Others said they are upset because the large amount of money should not go towards an AI design, especially for a state fair contest.

“If I was an artist, I would be upset because, one, I would want to win and get money, the $1,000. Also, it has kind of taken away from the creativity that people can come up with,” said Waggoer.

Fair organizers said “We are committed to celebrating Ohio artists, with a number of other competitions that don't permit Al, including the fine arts exhibition, creative arts competitions, mural contest, and plein air painting. We greatly appreciate the feedback from fairgoers so that we can ensure our contests can best celebrate Ohio artists next year and for years to come.”

Organizers also said the artist is declining to talk.

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