Manchester Christmas Markets, which opened on November 6 across 10 city-centre locations, are facing a social media backlash over the apparent use of AI-generated imagery to advertise food items such as bratwurst, cakes, and cookies. One stall owner said they understood the criticism and would reduce the use of AI going forward.
Social media criticism erupts
The criticism began after a Manchester Evening News reporter shared a post on X noting that German bratwurst prices remain at £8, inadvertently highlighting a stall's AI-generated posters. Social media users quickly expressed frustration over the "AI slop," criticising vendors for not using their profits to hire real graphic designers.
The social media post featured a series of AI-generated posters of currywurst and hot dog sausages at one stall. One person replied: "Can we all agree to boycott places with those awful AI posters?"
Vendor response and next steps
Another said: "£8 and they can’t use a bit of it to pay a ****ing graphic designer." Another stated: "I don’t care how much they cost… if I get a single sniff of AI slop from these posters, I wouldn’t spend a penny on them."
One stall owner said they understood the criticism and would reduce the use of AI going forward. The markets continue to operate across the city, with vendors responding to the feedback.
