Toronto event fires back at critics for use of AI-generated promo art

A Toronto market programmer is responding to critics who questioned their use of AI-generated art in the promotion of one of their ongoing events. 

The Nathan Phillips Square Farmers' Market, which has taken place every Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. since June 11, aims to help local Ontario farmers and diverse vendors display and sell their products. 

The market's development manager, Jennifer Forde, has been running the event since 2017, and also manages three other markets across the city, including the Scarborough Farmers' Market, Courtyard Farmers' Market and the North York Farmers' Market.

This week, an advertisement for the Nathan Phillips Square Farmers' Market went viral after it was shared on Reddit, amassing 1,600 upvotes and over 300 comments, with many criticizing Forde's use of AI. Many of the top comments zoomed in on specific segments of the art, which included signs full of gibberish, a pole magically going through a character's head, and imaginary produce. 

Nathan Phillips Square Farmers Market also using terrible AI generated promo art
byu/crocodilesareforwimp intoronto

"I told them that since they don't seem interested in supporting my product (human art) I won't be supporting their product. They can find some AI shoppers to buy their vegetables," one Reddit user wrote. 

Forde tells blogTO that she's a one-person operation running four markets out of the city, and even pays out of pocket for her vendor incubator program — factors that all necessitated her use of AI. 

"The emphasis for my markets is to open markets in underserved areas. The issues regarding diversity, representation, helping people and communities that don't get recognition — that's our work," she said. 

"I have no staff. I hopped onto Canva, saw the AI option and banged it out. O can't afford to pay an artist to cover my markets, and that's the best we can do," she continued.

"What we should be concentrating on is the aim to bring markets to underserved communities. The emphasis is to reflect the communities that we serve. We have South Asian, Asian, African, Caribbean, Persian, Muslim vendors — vendors that don't usually have the opportunity to get into larger markets." 

Forde's incubator program also works with youth from diverse backgrounds to help them bring their products to customers at these markets. She says participants don't pay vendor fees or insurance in an effort to get their businesses running more quickly. 

"We are the market that introduces individuals who can’t get into regular markets an opportunity," Forde tells blogTO. "I really understand what these people are trying to say, but they also have to understand that this is the way of the future. I myself am not an AI fan. I'm very worried about AI, but if I can do it cheaper, with low costs, considering we have limited budget, time and manpower, I'm going to use it."

Despite the backlash that the event has faced, Forde says the emphasis remains on supporting the vendors. 

"We really work to get these vendors an opportunity," she explained. "Maybe I don't have money to pay for an artist because I'm actually paying out of my pocket to help my vendors get going." 

This also isn't the first time a Toronto ad has sparked outcry for its use of AI. A poster promoting the Distillery District was likewise called out on the Toronto subreddit this week, while a local historical society had to issue a public apology last holdiay season for selling greeting cards bearing AI art.

The Nathan Phillips Square Farmers' Market runs every Wednesday until Oct. 8, 2025.