Walmart bans AI slop signs in stores

• Walmart has issued instructions to stores banning the use of AI tools to create display signage.
• Generative AI illustrations have been popping up as a quick fix for retailers and restaurants.
• Walmart's guidance says custom printing is only allowed when no approved alternative is available.

Walmart is saying "No" to AI slop in its stores.

Custom print jobs have long been prohibited for Walmart store signage, but a recent update to that policy says AI-generated posters are especially forbidden.

"Stores should not display signing created by AI tools," the guidance says.

The announcement appears to address the trend of retail and restaurant managers using AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini to spruce up their announcements and promotions without the expense (or good judgment) of a professional graphic designer.

Delis and bodegas in particular have embraced the slop for menus and signs, as highlighted on social media, and customers hate it.

But these ad hoc print jobs can undercut the branding and standards that corporate parent companies work to maintain.

Walmart's move follows similar bans by tech companies, including YouTube, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Meta that have updated their guidelines on AI-generated content.

In its photo department guidance, Walmart says all store signage should be ordered through the official corporate catalog. Stores may ask the photo lab for help when there is a "critical business need" and there is no approved alternative.

Walmart also recently added a photo-related perk for its Walmart Plus members: As of August 14, members can get 25 free 4x6 prints made each month by uploading from their camera roll to the Walmart app.

Customers are presumably free to use that perk to print all the cringeworthy generative AI images they like for their personal use.

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