AI-generated content increasingly appearing in urban environments

The proliferation of 'AI slop'—low-quality, AI-generated content—is increasingly appearing in urban environments through murals, billboards, and menus. This phenomenon is visible in cities globally, including Glasgow, San Francisco, and London.

In London, a 30-meter Christmas mural over the Thames was quickly removed after being mocked online for its surreal, distorted AI-generated details. Similarly, in Elbląg, Poland, a mural competition for the city's 780th anniversary faced controversy when proposed designs appeared to be AI-generated, featuring incorrect city emblems and fantasy-style imagery rather than historical accuracy. In response, the city changed the competition format to allow residents to submit their own proposals.