1. AI Use In Famous Bookstore’s Merch Sparks Controversy Powell’s Books, one of the most well-known bookstores in the nation, has learned the hard way that what goes into the design of a promotional product can be just as important as what it looks like, especially if your customer base is passionate about the creative arts. Customers began posting on Reddit that the Portlandbased shop’s new T-shirts featured images that seemed to potentially have used AI to create its art. Powell’s Books confirmed that it had hired a local artist who used AI software to create the image of a wolf standing on a stack of books, which is designed to look like it’s hand-drawn. Considerable backlash followed from customers and fans, who felt that the use of AI not only takes work from artists, but also can steal art from artists without credit and payment, passing it off as original. The bookstore responded to the criticism on Facebook, stating that it took the original work of artists seriously and claiming that the artist it hired had used Adobe to create the image, which included AI-assisted features. Although many people freely use AI generators to create images, there’s a strong and growing perception that such images represent the theft of artwork by real human artists. In order to generate those images, AI tools are trained on millions of images of human-made art, creating a database that allows them to mimic human styles with accuracy. Sometimes, this results in intense similarities, and often it’s employing a signature style that a specific human had perfected and built a context and reputation around. AI tools rely on ‘fair use’ laws, which allow them to take from copyrighted artists’ work as long as it doesn’t impact the original work’s value in a provable way. Powell’s Books’ own union, ILWU Local 5, responded to the controversy with a Facebook post, condemning the bookshop for what it deemed as an easily avoidable error by the bookstore. ‘A company whose entire business model is dependent on human creativity should be safeguarding against any technology that exploits, devalues or displaces it,’ ILWU Local 5 posted. 2. Does Team USA Merch Honor Europe’s MVP? The Ryder Cup teed off on Sept. 26 at Bethpage Black Golf Course in Long Island. But before a single swing was made, controversy landed on the green. Ralph Lauren, the official outfitter for Team USA, released a $65 navy T-shirt in its 2025 Ryder Cup collection. At first glance, the design is straightforward: ‘USA’ across the chest with a silhouetted golfer midbackswing behind it. The intent is clearly Americana, but upon closer inspection, it reads a little shamrock. The problem? That golfer in mid-swing looks a whole lot like Irishman and longtime Team USA foe, Rory McIlroy. Having something that looks suspiciously like his outline isn’t something fans on either side are ignoring. McIlroy has shaped golf for more than a decade: Four majors, over 40 professional wins and an energy that Human Vs. Machine The use of AI, potential trademark infringement and a familiar silhouette have fueled tension over promotional products. Compiled by Jonny Auping & Sarah Luna Photo courtesy of Aimee Green, The Oregonian/OregonLive 68 • DECEMBER 2025 • PPAI Community | Buzzworthy
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