Backstory:
As some of you may know, during freshers and throughout the year the SU have a poster sale in Richmond Building working with a company called Pyramid Posters Limited. These poster sales have been going on for a while and are popular with fresher students. 

However, in recent times I have seen this company selling increasingly more AI art and posters taken straight from the internet. If you don’t know why AI art is bad, it’s because it’s made from a computer algorithm that takes art from artist without their consent and then puts it into its database which it uses to generate ‘art’. This is stealing. The use of AI also uses a LOT of energy and greatly impacts the environment with its high use of water in heat exchangers which produces greenhouse gasses and pollutes local areas. Not only that, since AI art is quick and cheap to produce, it actively harms artists integrity and the careers of full time artist. The university has a low tolerance of AI in academic work due to its harm to academic integrity and so I believe the SU should be the same. As one of my friends rightfully said “it’s the same as someone coming to the university selling fully written essays written by AI but saying they are human written”. With the SU having so many artistic events and societies, selling AI art gives the image that the SU cares more about its income than its people, which isn’t very charitable.

As well as this, when interviewed, one of the workers from the company that runs the poster sale said that the company pays for the licensing to franchises but failed to mention anything about paying or crediting artists. Even on the companies website there is little to no information as to where they source the products they sell from and how their licensing works. This, added with the AI art, suggests that this company is heavily unethical and is targeting vulnerable freshers to earn some quick, cheap and easy cash. The ethicality of this business to me does not align with the SU values and principles and I believe the SU needs to change its policies.

With all that I have stated, I believe the SU needs to change its policies and procedures, this is what I want the SU to do if this motion passes.

Actions:

• Change and re-evaluate SU policies, rules and regulations to ban the use of harmful AI within societies and the organisation, and evaluate where to draw the line with AI
• SU to lobby the university (copy their AI policies) to avoid usage of harmful AI in the university 
• Divest from unethical companies that use or sell AI art and Gen AI, like Pyramid Posters Limited
• Instead of poster sales, run regular craft/art markets in the Anson rooms similar to the Plant & Craft held by the SU a year or so ago inviting sellers like The Ethical Gift Shop, Artigo, Culla Co (who were at freshers fair), and local small artists and sellers. This can bring in revenue if the SU charges for the tables.
• More frequent craft events ran by the SU throughout the year which can bring in revenues through ticket price profits and buying long lasting supplies that in time will have low product costs
• Monitor use of AI within societies, such as AI art for logos, or use of AI generated music etc

By implementing these actions this will positively impact students at the university.

Impacts:

• Decreased environmental impact from the SU that is cause by use of AI following SUs accreditation criteria 
• Improved mental health and wellbeing to students who come to more frequent craft sessions
• Increased support to creative students who want to pursue artistic careers 
• Support to local artists and small businesses 
• Builds trust between students and SU through honesty and transparency with the SU policies on AI and ethicality