Montreal Borough Faces Backlash Over AI-Generated Empress Theatre Renderings
In late February, elected officials from Montreal's Côte-des-Neiges—Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough gathered across from the historic Empress Theatre to unveil their latest vision for the site's transformation. Standing before easels displaying architectural renderings, they presented what they described as a short-term plan to demolish the theatre while preserving its iconic Egyptian Revival facade, creating an open-air cultural space on the lot.
The AI-Generated Visuals That Sparked Controversy
While the renderings provided a general concept of the proposed project, they quickly drew attention for their technical flaws. Observers noted the hallmarks of artificial intelligence generation: people's faces appeared blurred or completely missing, limbs were oddly distorted, and figures had warped, contorted shapes that gave them an unsettling, uncanny appearance.
When the borough posted these visuals to its Facebook page, commenters were swift to criticize what they described as "blatant use" of artificial intelligence. Multiple users labeled the images "AI slop" and urged the borough to produce higher quality representations. One commenter wrote, "AI-generated images, from a borough?" while another added, "Let's hope the soul of the Empress Theatre doesn't fade away like the faces."
Borough's Response and City Policy
Facing mounting online criticism, borough officials clarified their position. A spokesperson explained that only certain "atmospheric elements" of the images were produced by artificial intelligence, describing the AI-generated tweaks as "purely esthetic" additions like people or lighting adjustments. They emphasized that the original 3D visuals resulted from work by in-house teams and that the borough complies with the City of Montreal's policy on artificial intelligence use in municipal projects.
The renderings themselves included a note stating they had been "retouched by AI," and the borough declined to comment further on the negative reaction they received. A spokesperson for the City of Montreal stated that the city uses artificial intelligence "ethically and responsibly" with regularly updated guidelines, though they did not specify whether AI-generated images are commonly used in project presentations.
Expert Perspectives on Municipal AI Use
Renee Sieber, an associate professor at McGill University and expert on AI ethics, cautioned that this episode should remind cities about the importance of responsible AI implementation and the potential for public backlash when the technology is misused. "It's not about how cities should effectively or efficiently use it, but when they should and when they should not," Sieber explained.
She noted concerns about how similar AI applications might contribute to job displacement, questioning whether urban designers or architects could have been employed instead. "One of the challenges will be when it's no longer easy to detect that it's AI slop, but it's still taking someone's job," Sieber added, emphasizing that cities should establish responsible role models for AI use.
Professional Associations Weigh In
The Canadian Society of Landscape Architects addressed the broader implications of AI in design fields. Hope Parnham, the society's manager of advocacy and strategic affairs, wrote that while AI use in design isn't inherently problematic, "design is complex and carries real-world implications that AI alone cannot address."
Parnham emphasized that the key issue isn't whether AI is used, "but how it is used and whether it supports professional practice and informed dialogue, or is intended to substitute for it." This perspective aligns with the City of Montreal's own directive, which states that AI tools should only be used when they provide significant added value and when other technological solutions cannot effectively meet identified needs.
Broader Implications for Municipal Planning
Sieber expressed encouragement that the public recognized the AI-generated aspects of the renderings, suggesting this awareness could help shape more responsible municipal practices. She argued that cities should take leadership roles in demonstrating ethical AI implementation, even if this means certain projects take longer or cost more. "Because if cities and governments don't push back, or don't establish good role models, who will?" she questioned.
The controversy highlights growing public sensitivity to artificial intelligence applications in public sector communications and planning. As municipalities increasingly incorporate AI tools into their operations, this incident demonstrates the importance of transparency, ethical guidelines, and maintaining public trust through responsible technological implementation.
