Wizards of the Coast admits using AI art after banning AI art

In 2019, Wizards of the Coast (WotC), the publisher of the popular card game Magic: The Gathering, released a marketing image for their new set, "Innistrad". The image depicted a group of human-like creatures standing in front of a dark forest.

At first, WotC claimed that the image was created by a team of human artists. However, after receiving criticism from fans and members of the gaming community, they admitted that the image was actually created using artificial intelligence (AI) art.

WotC's decision to use AI art for their marketing image sparked controversy, as some fans felt that it undermined the value of human creativity and skill. Others argued that AI art had its own unique strengths and could be a valuable tool in the gaming industry.

Despite the controversy, WotC has continued to use AI art in their marketing materials. In 2021, they released a new set called "Kaldheim" with an image that was created using AI art. The image depicted a group of human-like creatures standing in front of a snowy landscape.

It's worth noting that while WotC has used AI art for their marketing materials, they have not yet announced any plans to use AI art for the actual game cards themselves.