Dathan Trevino RIO GRANDE VALLEY – A new AI-Enhanced category was added to UTRGV’s annual Holiday Card Contest, encouraging students to create their own AI holiday cards to submit.
This decision came after the criticisms the contest faced last year when students called out the winner for using AI in their submission.
Patrick Gonzales, UTRGV vice president for university marketing and communications, said these criticisms did not play a part in the decision to create a separate category.
This is all about having as many students participate as possible. Right,” Gonzales said. “This is a fun-spirited contest that Dr. Bailey has had for almost two decades” … “The goal is to spread holiday cheer among the students.”
Students Now, the criticisms continued, targeting the new category.
An anonymous user in the UTRGV students Facebook group said and I quote, “Allowing AI submissions is just wrong and irresponsible.”
KVAQ-TV asked Gonzales about these criticisms.
“They can be in the other category,” Gonzales said. “If they don’t like the AI-Enhanced category, then I welcome them to compete in the Personally Designed category.”
According to the AI-Enhanced category submission rules, students are allowed to use generative AI or use AI to enhance their artwork as long as there is still a personal touch.
Since AI art holds no copyright, students are required to use these personal touches to properly own their holiday cards.
The deadline for the AI-Enhanced category is Oct. 1, while submissions for the Personally Designed category are due Oct. 15.
