ChatGPT-generated flyers are flooding public spaces with ugly, error-ridden signs

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Earlier this week, I somewhat stupidly asked our readers to send me examples of "ChatGPT flyers," the AI-generated posters and advertisements that have taken over social media, bulletin boards, restaurant menus, store signage, business cards, and billboards around the world. I say stupidly, because I was flooded with so many terrible, brain-numbing signs for anything you could possibly imagine. I guess I got what I asked for. (Thank you, I love it).

404 Media readers were particularly passionate about their hatred for AI-designed signs. I got some of the best email responses to any story I've done here. Before I get into the AI flyer hall of shame, here's some of what I heard:

"They look like absolute DOG SHIT. Like my cat's litter box! I freaking HATE THEM. I have been posting to my Instagram begging people and businesses to stop using them. No one listens LOL. Thanks for this article. I am glad I'm not screaming into the void by myself."

"thank you for writing this story. I've evangelically shared it with everyone I know, for whatever that's worth. I had never seen a local group churn out an AI-generated flyer before this year, but in the last several months it's gotten out of control. I'm sure you're being inundated with lousy AI flyers. Sorry for adding to the deluge, but this is something that's been bothering me for months."

"This is a great article but also fuck you because you were absolutely right about 'Once you notice a ChatGPT flyer, you will see them everywhere if you keep your eyes open.'"

Without further ado, here are some of the worst flyers we got. This represents just a small sampling of the overall number you sent me. In some cases I've provided more context from the person who sent it to me, and I've biased for ones that appeared in real life (i.e., were printed out) or that are particularly weird. Enjoy!

"Last month I was making one of my regular (miserable) visits to my rural Ohio hometown for care for aging mother. After a very long day cleaning out my childhood home, I thought I had finally snapped and lost my mind when I laid eyes on this table card at the local Mexican joint. " "I do want to warn that I have accidentally poisoned the well around New Haven. I'm a de-facto AI spotter, but it's hard to back up my assertions with vibes." "Use of generative AI in my town proliferated after it was destroyed by the Eaton Fire. This is Altadena, California. Eighteen months later, 2 out of 3 Altadenans are still displaced. Our ongoing challenges with recovery make it difficult to criticize event organizers that habitually use gen AI to create flyers, especially if the events exist to support a community in pain." "my city and our parking authority used to market a public engagement event for a new mural . The city prides itself on a growing Arts District, which is pretty rich since there is no (human) Comms team" This one is good because many of the beer company logos are wrong