It was supposed to be a fun treasure hunt for her fans. But a promotional campaign for Taylor Swift’s new album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” has taken an unexpected turn, leaving some of her most loyal supporters confused and disappointed.
The campaign, created in partnership with Google, challenged fans to locate 12 orange doors hidden in 12 cities worldwide. Each door contained a QR code that led to short, visually stylized videos hinting at album clues. But once fans began unlocking the clips, what was meant to be a creative puzzle quickly turned into controversy.
Across social media, Swifties pointed out odd visual flaws that many recognized as signs of AI generation. One video showed a bartender’s finger blending into a napkin, while another featured gym equipment with handles and weights that didn’t line up.
An awkward double standard
Many accused Swift of hypocrisy, pointing to her long history of advocating for fair pay and her previous criticism of AI-generated deepfakes.
Swift has previously spoken out against the misuse of artificial intelligence, especially after being targeted by deepfake and fake political endorsement images last year.
“Recently I was made aware that AI of ‘me’ falsely endorsing Donald Trump’s presidential run was posted to his site. It really conjured up my fears around AI and the dangers of spreading misinformation,” Swift wrote in an Instagram post. Now, fans are questioning whether her team’s use of AI in creative projects contradicts her earlier stance.
On Reddit, one user complained, “For someone who has made a big deal about how artists aren’t paid appropriately for like, most of her career, this is tone deaf.” Another said, “She’s far too rich to be this… cheap”*
#SwiftiesAgainstAI Goes Viral
The fan reaction has quickly evolved beyond just disappointment. The hashtag #SwiftiesAgainstAI has become a rallying point across social media, with fans urging the billionaire artist to explain her team’s creative choices and apologize.
The official videos, which were initially posted on YouTube, have since been removed. However, the reason for their deletion remains unclear.
As of the time of reporting, Swift and her representatives have neither confirmed nor denied whether AI was used in the creation of the promotional videos, nor have they commented on the backlash. Google, which partnered with Swift on the scavenger hunt, has also not commented on the allegations.
Last month, Meta faced backlash after an investigation revealed that the company’s platforms hosted AI chatbots impersonating celebrities, including Taylor Swift, without their consent.
The post Fans Cry ‘Hypocrisy’ as Taylor Swift Is Accused of Using AI for New Album Promo appeared first on eWEEK.
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