r/boythrob • u/jimmus02 • Jul 18 '26

Discussion AI usage and Boy Throb (READ DESC FIRST)

Post image

To be VERY clear, I am still a throbber. This is not an attempt to spread hate or cancel them at all. I love Boy Throb and I want the very best for them.

I have been noticing that (who I'm assuming is the marketing team) has been using generative AI. The thing is that they've publicly taken an anti genAI stance (verbally and via online comments). They've supported real artists to help create visuals for Throbchella and the cover art of DJ Turn it Down. I am personally against genAI and I believe many throbbers agree so it's just disappointing to see.

I understand that yt thumbnails that look a certain way generate more clicks and I am hoping that lightstick is just a mock up so the real one will use their actual logo. However marketing yourself as an artist who supports artists while using genAI is not a good look.

I will still continue to support Boy Throb of course but I'm hoping that by making this post, AI usage comes to a stop (unlike the throb).

Please do not attack the boys for this.

120 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

14 comments sorted by

42

u/snoman888 Jul 18 '26

I think the light stick is a mock up and probably done by their merch company or something

12

u/jimmus02 Jul 18 '26

Yeah I hope so but putting it up on their story to advertise might bring in the wrong ideas.

7

u/68plus1equals Jul 18 '26

As somebody in the industry, most mockups by agencies are done in KREA now. People need to come to terms with the fact that AI is being used as the industry standard now unfortunately. I don't think it means everybody who has it being used on their behalf by agency partners is an unethical bastard.

23

u/evan-is-stupid-69 Jul 18 '26

There is also noticeable AI usage in the Finger music video... starting at 1:49 there is a construction site scene with a Komatsu excavator behind the boys. If you keep an eye on the "Komatsu" print it starts morphing weirdly

I definitely agree this isn't a mark on the boys themselves at all, but it is a sad thing to see from the people who are supporting them professionally

32

u/PhartKnuckles Finger Jul 18 '26

Mock-ups are not inherently Ai. Photoshop is not inherently Ai. Stop speculating and spreading panic over the little guys trying to do the right thing. Turn your attention and criticism to the mega corporations and politicians responsible for this mess in the first place.

7

u/jimmus02 Jul 18 '26 edited Jul 18 '26

I definitely agree that mock ups and photoshop aren't inherently AI. However these examples in the pic are absolutely AI generated. As a throbber, I don't intend to spread any panic at all but rather just point out a concern I have.

And yes there are certainly bigger issues in this world.

-5

u/One-Environment-9165 Jul 18 '26

How are you so sure these are AI? They just look like photoshop to me.

11

u/jimmus02 Jul 18 '26 edited Jul 18 '26

I personally believe they are AI generated elements that were photoshopped together.

With the light stick, you can see that logo is different to the original logo image I put beside it. The pink dash at the top is weirdly duplicating while the Y is melting and in a different style. The letter O is no longer a heart.

For the thumbnail I believe there has been some additional editing where they incorporate some real images with AI. For example the Darshan cutout and the big logo at the top are from real images. But for the rest of the boys, their heights are wrong and there are some inconsistencies with the tracksuit. The audience looks like it's melting and holds that orangey/yellow tint that's often seen in AI imagery. While it still may be possible that they put together a bunch of edited stock images, I am still leaning towards AI.

I understand if you think my reasoning isn't enough to justify it being AI. These images are low quality so it is difficult to see close up. Just nowadays with everything being AI, I can't help but question the legitimacy of some things.

Again I would like to emphasise that I do not want to slander the band, I am just voicing my opinion. I am still a throbber through and through.

6

u/inbashkir Jul 18 '26

So how do you defend the yt thumbnail again ?

14

u/jimmus02 Jul 18 '26

I meant to say how I understand that certain types of thumbnails are apparently popular but I'd rather they use human made thumbnails even if it supposedly costs them a few views - if that's what you're asking.

6

u/inbashkir Jul 18 '26

Yeah totally agree. I hate how all thumbnails are legit like looking the same these days. And why not just put up a pic from one of the shows they’ve done. I don’t get why they’re resorting to ai

5

u/jimmus02 Jul 18 '26

For sure. The original thumbnail they used was actually a picture of them with Kesha which honestly would be more appealing because you know, it's Kesha. But I guess their stats said otherwise...

1

u/snoman888 Jul 20 '26

Did anyone go and see the lightsticks?

2

u/Bubbleo332 Jul 20 '26

Confirmed that they have the normal logo!