On Friday, Oct. 2, the Wright State University Instagram account posted a video using artificial intelligence (AI). Students have expressed their opinions for the content through comments on the university’s Facebook page, where the video was also posted, and on other Instagram posts on their page. Comments were not enabled on the original Instagram video.
The video is 1 minute and 6 seconds long, depicting a wolf emerging from the woods and running towards a Viking. The two stop in front of each other before turning to run off into the sunset together.
“IT’S ABOUT TO GET ROWDIER,” the Instagram caption reads.
The university has been teasing a surprise that will be announced on Nov. 2 at the Stars and Stripes basketball game at the Nutter Center.
Another post was shared 3 days later on Oct. 5, showing a black screen with the same phrase, “It’s about to get rowdier,” and a second black screen with the announcement date on it. Students commented under this post about their dislike of the use of AI in the previous video and also left comments on the video itself on Facebook.
Ivan Vest, a finance student at Wright State, shared his thoughts on the Oct. 5 Instagram post.
“Hey comments are enabled on this one! Anyways this post is much better than the AI one that was posted (and is still up),” the comment says.
Vest’s comment received 54 likes, and several other comments were left on the same theme.
Sarah Umbdenstock, the Associate Director of Communication for WSU, shared a response from the university about the video and the reaction it’s received from students.
“The university used AI as a production tool to bring a complex concept to life within a tight production timeline,” Umbdenstock said. “The university has also not received an above average number of comments or messages, negative or otherwise.”
The video remains up on both the university's Instagram and Facebook.
Ella Hassman is a motion pictures student at WSU. Along with many other creative arts students, she has spoken about the video and the negative reaction they had to it.
“It’s been a talking point amongst my peers, and we’re all incredibly disappointed that a university with such a prominent arts program, talented marketing students and a well-staffed digital team would generate something that so many people are very openly against,” Hassman said.
The video received 470 likes, 41 reposts and 361 shares on Instagram, as buzz surrounding the surprise announcement continues to grow. Students can attend the Stars and Stripes Classic on Nov. 2 to find out the meaning behind the video.
