“It’s just disappointing.”
That’s how second-year communication design major Amanda Richman reacted to seeing images produced by artificial intelligence (AI) used by official Cal State Monterey Bay (CSUMB) organizations for promotional material. She is not alone in feeling this way.
From flyers to the entire Career Development section of the CSUMB website, the administrative use of generative AI is spreading across campus like wildfire. Amidst this shift, more students have taken to social media to express their discontent. Several Instagram and Reddit comments responding to AI imagery mentioned feeling embarrassed by CSUMB’s choices, arguing the capabilities of communication design (CD) majors are discarded for the convenience of AI.
“It feels like they’re letting their students down,” Richman said. “There are so many students in our major who would be willing to create these designs, even for free. It just doesn’t make sense. It feels like it doesn’t put students first, it puts convenience first.”
When students received an email from the Center for Advising, Career and Student Success featuring a cartoon of an AI generated advisor with an otter posing as a student, the reaction was immediate and vocal. One of the comments read, “Just sent a criticism to the career advising email, ‘let’s talk about getting that ai generated slop replaced.’”
Second-year CD major Sophie Joslyn recalls receiving this email. Apart from the negative ethical implications of AI, Joslyn believes maintaining aesthetics is just as important.
“My CD friends and I roll our eyes at it,” said Josyln. “I think it’s pretty unprofessional because a lot of the images look bad, and it would have been the same amount of effort for them to use stock images or graphics of otters.”
Associate Professor of Graphic Design and Director of the CD program, Amir Attia, recommended that the university model the professional practices it hopes to instill in students.
“These students are investing time and effort into developing creative, technical and conceptual skills,” said Attia. “When they see the university opting for AI-generated visuals instead of student-created work, it may feel like their value as designers is being overlooked.”
In an Instagram post promoting the Spring Grad Fair, the Office of Graduate Studies and Research used an AI-generated image of a student in a cap and gown, which quickly drew criticism. One commenter wrote, “There are design students here who would love to help. Why use something fake?”
When asked about the negative response to this Instagram post, head of University Communications Walter Ryce spoke on behalf of graduate studies, saying, “We are not aware of any negative feedback on Instagram posts. Cal State Monterey Bay and its leadership team support the use of AI tools in ways that are ethical, responsible and aligned with our academic values.”
Second-year CD major Katherine-Anne Johanson expressed her frustrations with campus organizations using AI for promotional material. “It’s really alarming. Even when it gets called out, they usually don’t respond.”
“The comments were right there,” said fourth-year environmental studies major Tessa James. “If they didn’t see them, it’s because they weren’t looking, or they didn’t care.”
Attia worries that the circulation of AI imagery might discourage students from entering the creative field. “It risks implying that efficiency and cost-saving are valued more than nurturing creative talent, which can undermine students’ confidence as they prepare for careers in design.”
Despite the rise of AI threatening to overtake the creative job market, Attia argues the opposite. “I believe that creative thinkers and content creators will continue to play a vital role. Creativity is driven by emotion, intuition and human experience, areas where AI, which relies on logic and data, still falls short.”
“If CSUMB actively involved Comm Design students in the creation of marketing materials, encouraging them to use AI as part of their creative toolkit, it would offer real-world experience, portfolio pieces, and a chance to work on high-visibility projects,” says Attia. “This kind of engagement would demonstrate that the university not only embraces innovation, but also trusts and invests in its students.”