Oslo, Norway – The leverage of artificial intelligence to generate book cover illustrations is sparking a backlash in Norway, with artists and authors voicing concerns about the devaluation of human creativity and potential job losses. The controversy centers on Unni Lindell’s latest installment in the “Frøken Snushane” series, published by Bonnier Forlag, which features a cover created using the AI image generator Midjourney.
Tegneserieskaper Flu Hartberg, leader of the newly formed Kunstnerisk Initiativ for Regulering av Kunstig Intelligens (KIKI – Artistic Initiative for Regulation of Artificial Intelligence), sharply criticized Bonnier’s decision. “It’s absolutely horrifically unsolidaristic from both the author and the editorial team to trample on our illustrators,” Hartberg told NRK. “Bonnier should know better than to resort to such services.”
The dispute arose after Odin Helgheim, who illustrated the cover of the first “Frøken Snushane” book, was unable to create the artwork for the second due to capacity constraints. Bonnier opted to use Midjourney instead. Helgheim himself expressed principled opposition to the use of AI-generated illustrations, stating he had no involvement in the second book’s cover design.
Bonnier Forlag acknowledged using AI, but defended its choice, stating that the illustration was based on sketches provided by Lindell, not Helgheim’s work. In a statement to NRK, the publisher emphasized a distinction between AI as a support tool and AI as an independent creator. “It is critical that a human remains the creative originator and makes the decisive artistic choices. Where AI takes over the creative responsibility, we move into a more problematic landscape,” the statement read. Bonnier similarly said it would clearly label instances where AI is used in its processes.
The controversy extends beyond a single book cover. Lene Renneflott, managing director of Grafill, a nationwide association for creators of design, illustration, and visual communication, described the situation as “illustrators’ biggest nightmare.” Renneflott noted that a Grafill survey conducted last year revealed that 48% of 800 respondents reported a decline in commissions. “Something Grafill is incredibly happy and proud of is that illustrators are equal to authors and translators in the new Norwegian book law. And then we expect publishers to value what they contribute to the publishing business as highly as they do the other creators,” she said.
Several authors have also expressed concern. Guri Idsø Viken criticized the practice of using an existing designer’s style as a basis for an AI-generated image, calling it a “quite glaring example.”
While Bonnier defends its use of AI as a tool, other major Norwegian publishers – Aschehoug, Gyldendal, and Vigmostad & Bjørke – have stated they maintain strict guidelines regarding AI usage and prioritize human-created illustrations.
Unni Lindell has not yet responded to requests for comment on the criticism.
