LEGO BrickLink head on AI usage: “This is not a graphic design program”
The LEGO BrickLink Designer Program webinar is now underway, confirming that AI stickers are fine to use in the initial submissions.
After a situation involving a Series 9 set last year, there has been much discussion online about the alleged use of AI-generated images in the BrickLink Designer Program. The webinar for Series 11, going over the new submission guidelines, includes a new rule that states using AI for stickers and graphics is acceptable for the submission only.
The other guidelines explained during the webinar include the usual fare, as well as the revelation that non-active LEGO IP is fine to use. The presence of Castle in previous rounds has been prominent, but now you have an excuse to continue Adventurers, Galaxy Squad, Monster Fighters, and more.
Regarding the AI guideline, head of the program Alex Kastelic offered an explanation of what this means for the program. He has previously commented on the use of AI in the BrickLink Designer Program, mostly reiterating those thoughts in the webinar.
“I know this is a hot button one, but it is OK to use AI for your stickers,” stated Alex. “This is not a graphic design program. This is a LEGO model design competition, in a sense. If I were participating, I would be doing stick figures in Microsoft Paint, and my stickers would look horrible.
“I see this as a tool that can be used to help everyone show their model in the way that they see it being designed. All of these stickers will be redesigned; they all go through a LEGO graphic designer to do all the work on our stickers, so do not worry, it is just a tool that is used for when the models are submitted.”
The AI-generated imagery will not appear in the official LEGO design, but you are now officially allowed to use such programs a tool for the initial submissions. While the original alleged AI imagery in the Sleepy Dragon Inn has never been confirmed to be AI-generated following speculation last year, this ruling is now in place for Series 11.
The submission window for Series 11 opens on April 20 and will run until May 4.
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