Posta Kenya on Wednesday, January 31, sparked reactions after sharing a promotion post using an Artificial Intelligence (AI) generated image.
In a continued trend of integrating AI in digital communication, Posta shared an image depicting four people working in a customer care center while responding to concerns from its clients.
Using the images of three ladies and a man, the corporation directed members of the public on how they can reach out to its center for any clarification.
But the post went viral with engagements coming in at an accelerated pace after keen Kenyans spotted one image which showed a lady with three hands.
X users who saw the design error called out the corporation for lack of attention to details and raised concerns over the growing trend of using AI at the expense of creatives and photographers.
Kenyans Call out Posta
An X user named Edgar Wabwire was quick to point out that the error was a testament that some organizations were not tech savvy despite their insistence to use some of the contemporary tools.
“We need to call out Posta_Kenya for laziness. They used an AI-generated image, the customer support lady has three arms,” he noted in a comment.
“It is either you hire digital savvy people or remain in the analogue era,” he added.
User Kachwanya, on his part, highlighted the use of images depicting a white lady and a man in the photo and questioned the value of the investment in AI.
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“Hahahah even the Mzungu lady alien has three hands, this is terrible and most likely Posta has paid millions,” he noted.
Another user noted, “Why is she having 3 hands? To save the brand?”
Other Corporations Using AI in Kenya
Posta is among the government organizations and corporations that have shifted to use AI images as part of their communications strategy.
Earlier in January, the Kenya Urban Roads Authority came under criticism after it used an AI-image to pass a message of its dedication towards transforming urban mobility.
But its design was exposed for some flaws as Kenyans pointed out the lack of clear pedestrian walkways even in a virtually created road design.
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Kenyans also questioned the implication the use of AI would have on the youth in the creative sector who have traditionally depended on photography and graphic design for employment.
Besides the two organizations, private companies including telecommunications giant Safaricom have integrated AI as part of their communications strategy.
While the technology saves companies resources and time, the continued use is predicted to take over jobs of humans in undertaking various tasks.