‘Horrifying’ & ‘creepy’: MOF’s AI-generated visual sparks fiery debate among netizens

MOF’s AI-generated visual sparks Internet debate over glaring errors

Update (30 July, 10.57pm): The Ministry of Finance (MOF) has responded to queries on its AI-generated image, saying it is “pilot-testing” the use of AI to explore a different set of visuals on top of those done by designers. More below.

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An AI-generated visual posted on the Ministry of Finance’s (MOF) Instagram page has led to an uproar on the Internet after glaring errors were spotted.

MOF’s 11 July post was meant to generate awareness on the financial schemes available for lower-income families with two young children.

It’s one of three posts on its Instagram talking about financial support, and the post clearly states that the visuals were created using AI tools.

On 29 July, the image — which shows a smiling couple with two happy boys — was reposted on Reddit, with the Redditer asking the community whether they can spot the errors.

Several commenters jumped in, pointing out details that had gone wrong.

Distorted and strange body parts

Most notably, two fingers on the woman’s left hand seem to have blended into the background where finger tips should have been.

There is also a translucent sixth finger next to her supposed thumb.

The fingers on her right hand appears to be flattened at odd angles.

In addition the man seems to have several more teeth than a typical human being.

Netizens debate over AI-generated visual

Many Reddit users expressed indignation at the use of AI, and questioned whether there really was a need to do so.

One said they found the visual “horrifying” and “unsettling”, while another said it was “creepy, bordering on weird”.

Many found the blatant errors in the visual ridiculous. One user pointed out that this is the quality they would expect from scam advertisements.

One user pointed out the irony of using AI-generated visual to promote a package for lower income families.

Redditer produced alternative images to MOF’s

On 30 July, another Redditer with the handle “buwanana” posted alternatives to MOF’s AI-generated images, with the title: “Hi MOF, I created these images for you using AI. It’s not that hard leh!”

The four images were more well-received by the community, who said they were a “good effort” and more realistic than the original.

Speaking to MS News, the media entrepreneur said he created the new images because he thought the original posts “were not a good showcase of AI is capable of today”.

“I wanted to show how far AI has come, and if you have the right skills, what is already possible today,” he added.

He said he took just 15 minutes to create the four images. “AI is an amazing technology but it is still a tool that has to be used correctly.”

When utilised properly, he added, it can save a lot of money and time in photography. licensing and manpower usage. “That sort of productivity savings can be passed down to help make our local companies more competitive.”

MOF says it’s pilot-testing use of AI

In response to queries from MS News, an MOF spokesman said the ministry uses a variety of visuals including photographs, graphics, cartoons and videos to accompany its social media posts.

This is to cater to the different target audience of each social media platform, she said.

It is pilot-testing the use of AI to “explore a different set of visuals on top of those done by designers”.

Pointing out that it has put footnotes on its posts and visuals to maintain transparency on the source of the content, the spokesman added:

We will continue to explore different tools and take in feedback to improve our products in order to better inform fellow Singaporeans about Government schemes and services.

Also read: Woman Calls Out Use Of AI To Generate Her Nude Images, Pleads For Harassment To Stop

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Featured image adapted from MOF on Instagram.