Taylor Swift fans are accustomed to touring their videos and social networks publications for hidden messages about their albums.
But after the launch of “The Life of a Showgirl”, some swifties have said that their search for clues led them to a burrow of speculation about whether artificial intelligence was used in a series of promotional videos for the album.
The 12 videos were part of a search for the promotional treasure launched by Google, which sent fans in a search for 12 orange doors hidden in 12 cities (for their 12 album) worldwide. In each of the doors there was a QR code that revealed video clues to the puzzle, which gathered a phrase that fans needed to search through Google. Hunting finally led to the lyric video for the opening song of the album, “The Fate of Ofelia”.
While deciphering the track tracks, some online fans said they noticed unstable text, confused details and objects that disappear or change form against the laws of physics. Using the hashtag #SWIFTIESGAINSTA in X, they began accusing the videos of using the generative AI.
Swift has not personally promoted Orange Door campaign, and it is not clear how involved it was in the production of the clips, which were also briefly published on their YouTube account as shorts.
On Swift’s YouTube channel, shorts now seem not to be available. The recently released Swift music video for “The Fate of Ofelia” and 12 lyrical videos for the “Showgirl” album, are still on their channel. None use AI.
A swift representative did not provide comments for the story. Google did not respond to a request for comments.
Swift, a victim of Ai Deepfakes, has long expressed his support for artists’ rights to own their work, that some of their online fans said that it is what disappointed them when they saw the promotional videos, since the systems of AI are often trained in data sets that contain work with copyright.
Some fans pointed out that Swift seemed to use hand -painted accessories on the set of the music video for “Ophelia’s destination”, noting that the musical icon has been very attentive about the presentation of his work.
“When so much effort has been placed in the rest of the album’s release … I think it is very, very vague and disappointing to use the generative AI to create videos that a human being could have done,” said Rachel Lord, a Swift self -described fanatic, in a Tiktok video.
“I think it is very important that we, like fans, talk about how much we do not agree with this, because if we do not talk about it, they will only continue with that,” he said, emphasizing that he is not “hating Taylor.”
The controversy arose in the midst of some mixed criticisms for the last Swift album, which headed Spotify lists and sold 2.7 million copies on its first day of launch. While many have praised the BOP of “The life of a showgirl”, others have said that the clues lack the type of lirismo they expect from Swift.
Swift’s anesty fans base has traditionally reached its defense in the midst of any violent reaction. However, the speculation of AI and subsequent criticism seemed to come from both their fans and their detractors.
In a Reddit publication on the orange door promotion clips in the popular R/Taylorswift community, a moderator wrote: “Most likely, the videos are generated. In general, we do not allow the content of AI, but since this is related in some way to the impulse of the album, we will clearly maintain this thread in progress.”
Several are asking Swift, who has not commented on AI’s speculation, to make a statement on the matter.
“Estimated @taylornation13, we expected a decent album promotion, but we noticed that the promotion in the cities was done by AI,” wrote a one x user who describes himself as a “taywarrior” and swiftie in his biography. The publication had been seen more than 1.3 million times until Tuesday afternoon.
“The AI has a great impact on the environment and wildlife due to its great water consumption and more,” the user added. “Please learn better next time. #Swiftiesagaini.”
The use of AI in media production has been a polarizing theme in the entertainment industry. As the generative tools of AI are increasingly integrated into the production of film, television and music, artists have criticized technology due to concerns about labor displacement, as well as the scraping of the companies of the work done by humans without consent or compensation.
Outside the vocal rejection of artists and studies, IMA, videos and music generators have been affected with numerous demands for the violation of the copyright, artists, media, media companies and music labels.
Some of the Swift defenders have argued that the peculiarities generated by the videos could be explained with computer generated images. Others have insisted that CGI would not make objects transform, blur or disappear when the camera moves.
Swift has not condemned the use of the use of AI as a whole, but has previously condemned its misuse. In an Instagram post in 2024 supporting Kamala Harris by president, Swift went to the attempt of President Donald Trump to promote an image of her.
“Recently I realized that ‘Me’ falsely backed Donald Trump’s presidential career was published on site,” Swift wrote. “I really conjured my fears around AI, and the dangers of spreading misinformation.”
