The artist faces backlash after saying that AI was only used for “polishing and editing” in the Dungeons & Dragons volume.
Dungeons & Dragons producer Wizards of the Coast has admitted that AI-generated artwork was published in its sourcebook Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants. The book was released digitally on August 1 for those who pre-ordered it. The Hasbro-owned company said in a statement that it would update its policy in the future to keep AI-generated or assisted work out of its publications. Images will remain online on D&D Beyond. They are expected to be included in the physical book when it is released on August 15.
“While we weren’t aware of the artist’s choice to use AI in the creation process for these commissioned pieces,” Wizards said in a statement posted Saturday to X (formerly known as Twitter), “we have discussed with him, and he will not use AI for Wizards’ work moving forward.”
The controversy emerged on Friday. At the time, D&D author NevernotDM posted on X. He drew attention to what he called “seriously worrying” evidence that AI was used in Glory of the Giants, due out on August 15.
On Saturday, artist Ilya Shkipin wrote on X that he used AI “for some details or polishing and editing” and then posted a comparison of the finished work and initial sketches to show what he had in mind. After being rebuffed by artists and other members of the D&D community, Shkipin deleted the posts. Io9 posted screenshots of Shkipin’s comparisons on Saturday.
The final drawings of this character, a Frostmourn and others on D&D Beyond have features that suggest artificial intelligence was used. In another image, the Frost Giant Ice Shaper’s left leg appears oddly proportioned and turned. This means, or at least questions, the origin of the art.
Shkipin’s art has been featured in Dungeons & Dragons books for nearly ten years, going back to the fifth edition’s debut in 2014.
On Saturday, Wizards said it is “revising our process and updating our artist guidelines to make clear that artists must refrain from using AI art generation as part of their art creation process for developing D&D art.”
The outcry over the inclusion of AI on social media was relatively muted. Many noted that the influx of this type of art is relatively new to the industry. However, this is just another in a long line of PR problems for Wizards this year. Including the D&D OGL fiasco in January. Including the admission that Pinkerton agents were sent to recover leaked Magic: The Gathering cards from a content creator’s home in April.
On AI-generated art and Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants: pic.twitter.com/q6oXRRITk9
— D&D Beyond (@DnDBeyond) August 5, 2023
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