A Message to Our Artistic Community on AI

The use of Artificial Intelligence in creative spaces is a rapidly evolving conversation—one that touches the core of the artistic community, conventions, and society at large. At Westside Comic Con, we recognize the gravity of this topic. Our position has already grown through internal reflection and community feedback, and we expect it to continue evolving as we navigate this landscape together.

To address the concerns raised by our community, we want to clarify our current standards, past actions, and future intentions.

Our Policy for Artists & Vendors

We are committed to maintaining the integrity of our creative spaces. Westside Comic Con does not allow "AI Artists" in our Artist Alley or Vendor Hall.

• Vetting Process: Our application process allows us to vet every creator before a booth is purchased. This ensures a diverse balance of vendors and allows us to filter out AI-generated portfolios.

• Disclosure & Enforcement: While we require vendors to clearly disclose any products containing AI elements, we also reserve the right to evaluate all offerings on-site. If a vendor is found to have misrepresented their work or is selling undisclosed AI products, we may request the removal of those specific items. In cases of significant or intentional misrepresentation, vendors may be asked to leave the event without a refund.

• Empowering Attendees: It is challenging for a volunteer-run show to guarantee that every single item among thousands of products is 100% AI-free. By requiring disclosure and maintaining on-site oversight, we aim to empower our attendees to make informed purchasing decisions and support the human creators they love. Please reach out to a volunteer or member of staff if you are concerned about offerings you see by our artists or vendors.

Addressing Our Past Use of AI

Regarding our website and early promotional materials: we did use AI-generated art in our initial launch. As a fully volunteer-run organization, our core team lacked deep expertise in the complexities of AI ethics during our earliest stages. We made the choice to use these tools to get our marketing live with the goal of generating the funds necessary to hire human creators.

While we would make a different decision today, we will not hide or minimize these past choices. Transparency is the only way to build genuine trust. We are proud to show that we are already transitioning to human-led design, including:

• The Westsider Robot, designed by local artist Charles Mason.

• A new logo currently being rolled out.

• The 2026 Badges, currently being designed by a Salem-based artist, to be announced at a later date.

Looking Forward: An Open Invitation

Our goal is to learn from our constraints and fill our team with passionate experts who can guide us. We have engaged in many one-on-one conversations with concerned community members, and we want to keep that door open. More broadly, we hope to build a community that allows for discussion and dissenting perspectives on a myriad of topics.

We invite you to join the conversation. Whether you have specific suggestions for our bylaws, resources to share, or an interest in joining our volunteer team to help shape these policies, we welcome your input.

Furthermore, we are currently developing programming for the 2026 show, including panels on the moral and artistic implications of AI and resources for parents. Thank you for holding us accountable and for being part of this journey.