Listen to this article
About 3 minutes
The audio version of this article was created using artificial intelligence technology. Mispronunciations may occur. We work with our partners to continuously review and improve results.
Some Ottawa Rapid products have been removed from their website after CBC Ottawa inquired about design errors. (Ottawa Rapid FC)
Have you ever heard of Ottawa’s Van Blurene Park or seen the giant sign at the national gallery?
This alternate version of Ottawa was briefly on merchandise for the Ottawa Rapid soccer team before being pulled.
Earlier this month, a fan of the Northern Super League club contacted CBC Ottawa to ask if artificial intelligence (AI) was being used to fix problems with an $85 sweater he saw in the team’s store.
The design of the sweater and other merchandise features images of Ottawa landmarks with short phrases like “Bytown” and “Rideau Falls.”
Along with that, there are a few questionable items that CBC asked the football team:
- A reference to “Van Blurené Parc”, which is not a park in the city.
- Architecturally inaccurate depiction of the National Gallery of Canada.
- Description of the spider sculpture MotherSitting outside the gallery, one leg is missing.
- Missing apostrophe from “Capital of Canada”.
Some details on the shirt for sale. (Ottawa Rapid FC)
In response, the Ottawa Rapid said Marcus Farias, the Toronto-based artist behind the design, told them no generative artificial intelligence was used.
CBC News reached out to Farias directly, but he did not respond by deadline.
The club said the drawings are not intended to be an architecturally or geographically accurate representation of the city.
“The original artwork was intentionally a stylized interpretation of Ottawa, taking creative license to depict the city’s landmarks,” according to a statement from Shawna Newbery, the club’s chief marketing officer.
As for the text errors, the club said the text was altered by the production partner from the artist’s original work. They did not confirm how or why this was done before the deadline.
The team said the reference to “Van Blurené Parc” was originally “Viam Prepare Parati”, which appears to be a mix of Latin and English.
Toronto-based artist Marcus Farias confirmed that no generative artificial intelligence was used to create the original art in question, The Rapid reported. (Marcus Farias)
“Changes to the writing on the current product, including a reference to a non-existent park, did not reflect the intended design and should have been determined before the products went on sale,” Newberry wrote.
He said the club is working with its partners to understand how the problems occurred and establish a stronger vetting and approval process, and may develop a revised version of the original design.
The club said it has withdrawn all merchandise featuring the affected design and will offer “full refunds to supporters who wish to return their purchases”.
“We are proud to represent Ottawa and our supporters deserve the same attention and detail in everything we do,” Newberry wrote.