03/19/2026
Lately, we’ve been asked quite a bit about using AI-generated imagery for our programming, PR, and social media. We know these suggestions usually come from a great place, as we are a small team with a large workload!
Still, at the Morton Museum, we have to ignore the siren's song of generative AI, as the drawbacks are too significant for us. We wanted to take a moment to share our reasons!
Here is why we’re sticking to the real deal:
1. As providers of local history, we want you to know that every image we share is a real window into the past, not a digital fabrication.
2. AI "hallucinations" are common. It focuses on generic details that erase the specific, local facts of our community. We’d rather show you a grainy, real photo of our streets than a "perfect" one that never existed.
3. AI often relies on the unauthorized use of creative work. As our visitors know, we are strong advocates for the art community and would rather lean on them for materials than AI!
4. The massive energy and water consumption required to generate AI imagery conflicts with our mission and national museum standards for environmental sustainability.
5. Recreating historical figures can trigger serious legal and ethical issues regarding the likeness rights of their descendants. These aren’t just "characters" to us. They’re our neighbors’ families.
6. Relying on AI-generated images discourages the vital archival work and digitization that lead to genuine new discoveries. We’re dedicated to the "treasure hunt" of real research!
This post isn't about shaming any other groups, institutions, or individuals who use generative AI! We just wanted to check in and let you know our own reasons "why" and reestablish our commitment to our community's story.
