Netizen recalls mayor's AI-generated mango ice photo, questions link to 'smart governance'

As the summer solstice arrives, a netizen has resurfaced a two-year-old incident involving Hsinchu Mayor Kao Hung-an, who posted an AI-generated image of herself holding mango ice on social media. The netizen expressed bewilderment, questioning the relevance of mango ice to intelligent city governance.

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Don't know what the connection is between mango ice and intelligent governance.

The original post from two years ago featured Mayor Kao holding a bowl of mango ice, a popular Taiwanese dessert. However, sharp-eyed netizens quickly pointed out that the image was not of Hsinchu's local mango ice but appeared to be sourced from a famous mango ice shop in Kaohsiung. The city government's subsequent explanation, stating the image was AI-generated and a demonstration of the city's "intelligent governance," further fueled public skepticism.

In a recent online post, the netizen lamented the continued lack of clarity regarding the connection between mango ice and smart governance. They expressed surprise that Mayor Kao seemed unaware of Hsinchu's own mango ice offerings, opting instead for an AI-generated image. This choice, the netizen argued, suggests a disconnect from local businesses and a reliance on artificial representations rather than genuine engagement with the city's offerings.

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The most magical press release I have ever seen.

The controversy underscores a broader public concern about the use of AI in official communications and the perceived authenticity of political messaging. Critics suggest that prioritizing AI-generated imagery over promoting local establishments like Hsinchu's own ice cream shops represents a missed opportunity for genuine community engagement and support.

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The biggest problem with Kao Hung-an's city governance is that she would rather use an AI-generated image of holding mango ice than go to an ice shop in Hsinchu to promote it.