FAN EXPO Canada is going on this weekend taking place at the taking place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. One of the bigger conventions that takes, place it brings in all sorts of celebrities and fans for the weekend celebrating fandoms. The convention kicked off with an issue with one exhibitor though, Bell Canada.

Bell Canada is an internet and tv service provider in Canada and has decided to spend its money for a booth where individuals can get a free photo booth photo of themselves… done up with AI. Yes, at a convention that celebrates creativity, Bell Canada thought it was a good idea to feature a booth that is based off of stolen art.

The use of AI is controversial as it:

1. Has a highly negative impact on the environment;
2. It negatively impacts water and electric infrastructure for communities;
3. Is trained on the works of others, thus considered by many as theft.

That’s the short version.

To add insult to injury, the booth is not far from Artist Alley, an area that is usually filled with individuals who have created their wares on their own and not using AI to do it for them. The type of art that things like an AI photo booth would steal from. The fact it’s a FREE item, potentially distracting and taking away from individuals who are there to sell product, doesn’t help as well. One commentor stated this was a trial run for the company, and if it goes well, they’ll bring it to other conventions.

The con letting that happen tells you exactly what they think of artists.

While there’s policies on FAN EXPO Canada’s site barring IP/copyright theft by exhibitors, we haven’t found one that’s an outright ban on the use of AI. An important question that should be asked is, what are attendees who partake giving up by doing so?

It’s just more gasoline on the fire for a debate that’s been raging for some time when it comes to who should and shouldn’t be exhibiting at conventions and the battle over the use of AI.

You don't need to be shy. You can call them out. It's Bell. They have a huge space and this is how they're using it at Fan Expo. 🤦‍♂️🤮

— Denis *B*L*M* (@quaidrayn.bsky.social) 2025-08-22T01:20:26.574Z