Given the concerns about AI art expressed by some in the community, the mods are implementing a new AI art policy for headers: no fully AI generated art as the featured image for OT/PT headers. The changing nature of the technology/landscape may necessitate a modified policy down the road. Please note the following:

1) If someone does use fully AI generated art in a header, please do not immediately assume bad faith and dogpile or harass that community member. This is unacceptable and a violation of Rule #3. With the exception of AI art intentionally and overtly passed off as “real,” assume the community member did not realize the art is AI generated, thought obviously self-created art using AI technology is okay, and/or was unaware of this new policy. Do not insist that a community member edit their comment or change their header. Alert the mods (avocadomods@gmail.com), and we will communicate with that community member.

2) The mods are not AI-art detectives or experts in discerning AI art from other computer-based art, nor do we intend to become certified as such. The community has raised concerns about AI art, so we ask the community to please alert us to problematic posts/headers and provide the origin/proof of said AI art.

3) Understand that requesting an edit is at the mods’ discretion, as is how to handle a post that is not edited within a reasonable timeframe. Please do not begin agitating for change if a header is still intact. If you have contacted the mods, then the mods have heard you. But mod actions typically require multiple mods to weigh in, which can take time, as can the community member’s response to a mod request to edit. If the objectionable art disturbs you in the meantime, we recommend that you skip the header (using the green button at bottom right) until the matter is resolved.

This is a new and evolving issue, and we are doing our best to accommodate as much of the Avocado community as possible without stifling participation or saddling the mods with an impossible task. Further, we are concerned that people will be so worried about inadvertently posting AI art and being attacked for it that OT signups will suffer. On that note, please consider signing up for OT headers when the 10/4 – 11/4 sheet goes up, particularly if AI header art has upset you of late.