Like Sarah Connor in The Terminator, San Diego Comic-Con is fighting back against AI. The prestigious, long-running pop culture convention has banned all artwork created by artificial intelligence from the 2026 Comic-Con art show. Rules posted on the Comic-Con website now state that AI-generated art won't be shown in any form.
"Material created by Artificial Intelligence (AI) either partially or wholly, is not allowed in the art show. If there are questions, the Art Show Coordinator will be the sole judge of acceptability," the website reads.
Don't miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source.
A representative for San Diego Comic-Con did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In the past, the convention allowed participants to display AI artwork, provided it was clearly marked as such and wasn't sold. But now, those artists can't even bring it through the door. The rule change is a response to artist-led pushback, according to a 404 Media report. San Diego Comic-Con is one of the world's most famous pop culture conventions, uniting comics, movies, television, gaming, cosplay and collectibles.
CNET
Jim Zub, writer for the Conan the Barbarian and Dungeons and Dragons comic book series, told CNET he supports Comic-Con's decision and hopes other conventions will follow their lead.
"Hundreds of thousands of people attend San Diego Comic-Con each year, and the excitement that generates isn't because they're eager to meet a computer spitting out homogenized slop," Zub said.
Zub, who's also an artist, is scheduled to appear at Comic-Con in 2026.
Entertaining AI
... continue reading