Our local music scene is grappling with a question that's become impossible to ignore: should artificial intelligence have a place in creating the posters that promote live shows?
The debate exploded on the Facebook group Peterborough's Music Scene, where musicians and artists are weighing whether AI-generated artwork belongs in a community built on personal expression and human creativity. The conversation has generated thousands of reactions online, revealing deep divisions about what it means to be an artist in the age of automation.
At the heart of the discussion is a fundamental tension: AI tools offer cash-strapped independent musicians a quick, budget-friendly way to create promotional materials. But critics argue that concert posters are far more than utilitarian advertisements—they're an extension of an artist's identity and the first impression many fans will have of a show.
Ell Parker, who fronts the glam-rock band My Fair Lady and designs the group's promotional artwork, falls firmly in the anti-AI camp. Parker sees posters as a crucial piece of the artistic puzzle, not something to be delegated to a machine.
"Posters are everything," Parker told Global News. "It's a chance to express what you want your music to be about before anyone even sets foot in the venue. You walk by and you see a Xerox little poster on a telephone pole and you know what it's about."
For Parker, the issue goes beyond aesthetics. AI-generated artwork is often immediately recognizable, and choosing that route sends a message about an artist's priorities.
"If you're not willing to put in the effort to support another artist to create your poster or learn those skills yourself, why should we support your work?" Parker told Global News. "It just shows you're willing to take that shortcut."
The controversy inspired 17-year-old recording engineer and musician Ollie Mae to write a satirical song titled If Your Poster's AI, channeling frustration about artificial intelligence's growing presence in the arts.
"I'm glad it's sparking conversation. I'm glad that it resonates with many," Mae told Global News. "Over the past few months, I've seen this terrifying influx of AI-generated advertisements for events that are supposed to be about human connection, talent, music and art. And you're having a robot make your poster for you. It's baffling to me."
Rather than simply complaining online, Parker decided to offer a solution. The musician has launched low-cost poster design services specifically for local artists, charging just $20 for an Instagram flyer and $40 for an 11-by-17-inch poster.
Parker acknowledges the rates fall well below what would constitute a living wage, but the goal isn't profit—it's preserving the soul of our music community.
"I wanted to do it because then we can start injecting a little more soul," Parker told Global News. "Peterborough punches above its weight class in terms of musical talent and I want to see that successful for everyone."
As of late last week, two local musicians had already taken Parker up on the offer. While it's a modest start, Parker hopes the initiative will grow into something larger—a movement to keep human creativity at the center of what makes our city's music scene special.
The debate reflects broader anxieties about artificial intelligence's role in creative fields, but it also highlights something uniquely positive about our community: musicians here care deeply about supporting one another and maintaining the authenticity that makes local art meaningful.
