Behind the Lens: Scripps, VisCom need to ditch AI

Earlier this month, the School of Visual Communications unveiled the “Generative Sparks” exhibit in the VisCom Focus Gallery on the first floor of Schoonover Center. It showcases “student works” made using generative artificial intelligence. This gallery opening came right after the Scripps College of Communication came under fire for using AI marketing, showcased by an Instagram post that now has almost 700 likes.

As both a photojournalism student within the VisCom program and Scripps College employee, this exhibit and open use of generative AI is deeply disturbing to me and many others at VisCom and Scripps College. 

This case is not even the first time VisCom has used generative AI. In the spring, the poster for the graduating student gallery, which did include work by talented student photographers and designers, was quite lazily generated by AI.

The VisCom school has hundreds of incredibly talented students in photography, design and other visual fields. For as long as the gallery has run, it has showcased actual student, alumni and professional works. This move toward AI is undermining the hours of dedication to our craft that I and hundreds of others within VisCom have put in. It also undermines the reputation of credibility that it has built up for decades. 

At its base, generative AI plagiarizes the works of others and wrecks the already fragile environment. This makes it an inherently unethical source of content. It also fundamentally goes against the mission statements of Scripps College and VisCom, especially in the journalistically based programs that are the backbone of the college. It also poses a deep threat to the future careers of Scripps College students.

The mission statement of VisCom reads: “The school sets high standards for visual integrity and communication ethics.” Similarly, the mission statement for Scripps College is to “educate and empower students as ethical leaders and members of society who shape the future of communication with integrity and creativity.” 

The National Press Photographers Association, the organization that sets ethical standards for photojournalists, states in its Code of Ethics, “Editing should maintain the integrity of the photographic images' content and context. Do not manipulate images or add or alter sound in any way that can mislead viewers or misrepresent subjects.” 

This suggests photojournalists should not use AI, as it would alter the situation. The photojournalism program has produced some of VisCom’s most well-known and influential graduates and faculty; not only is embracing AI undermining myself and all other VisCom students and staff, present or former, but it goes against one of the fundamental values of the program that made VisCom what it is today.

The Society of Professional Journalists, the organization setting journalistic ethical standards, has similar views in its code of ethics. Many newsrooms, including The Post, forbid AI usage for writing altogether because of this. The journalism school is arguably the backbone of Scripps College, even bearing the same name as E.W. Scripps. Yet, the college disregards its own history by using AI.

Let me make one thing clear. Over the past year, I have tried to make my opinion on generative AI clear: that it is not something we should embrace as a society. There are places where non-generative AI can play a critical role in technological advancements, particularly in medicine and logistics. Generative AI is not the future.

Generative AI has no place in the skill and truthfulness that have made both Scripps College and VisCom what they are today. It really is a shame, at a time when trust in journalism and the foundation of Scripps College is at a low point largely because of AI-generated content, that one of the best communications colleges in the country would stoop to such a low level.

Ethan Herx is a junior studying photojournalism at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnist do not reflect those of The Post. Want to share your thoughts? Let Ethan know by emailing or tweeting them at eh481422@ohio.edu or @ethanherx.