CROWLEY, La. (KLFY) — The 88th International Rice Festival in Crowley has sparked debate over its poster art, which was created with assistance from AI tools.

The poster, which includes a tribute to fallen Rayne officer Allen “Noochie” Credeur, has received mixed reactions from the community. While some residents appreciate the artwork, others are critical of the use of AI in its creation.

“I just don’t see the big problem or the big deal about it. It’s just a poster,” said one resident.

Every year, a local artist is given the opportunity to showcase their work as the poster art for Crowley’s International Rice Festival. This tradition celebrates Crowley’s rich history with rice and often becomes a collector’s item for festival-goers.

“Honestly, I think it was ugly, and I don’t agree with that, but I just don’t see the big deal about it. You know, it’s and we’re in a new generation. It’s kind of what the world is coming to,” said another anonymous resident.

The controversy surrounding this year’s poster art stems from the artist’s use of AI tools to assist in its creation, which has led to discussions on social media about the role of technology in art.

“As far as the picture goes, I like the picture a lot, but I’m not sure about the authentication of it,” said Tracy, a local resident. “So, I mean, I have no problem with it.”

News Ten reached out to both the artist and the International Rice Festival headquarters for comment but had not received a response by the time of reporting.

The mixed reactions to the AI-assisted poster art highlight the ongoing conversation about technology’s influence on traditional art forms. As the festival continues, the poster remains a central piece of the event’s identity.

“Well, the committee selected the poster, so if it’s alright with them, it’s all right with me,” said resident Thomas.

All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by KLFY. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by KLFY staff before being published.

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