A local artist says she is surprised that a Truro, N.S., business association used artificial intelligence to design merchandise for a recent community festival.

The Downtown Truro Partnership used AI to create the artwork featured on a tote bag sold for $25 at the Truro Buskerfest, an event organized by the partnership on July 10-11.

Alicia Simms Breland, CEO of Rolling Sea Tattooery in nearby Millbrook, N.S., said there were few indicators on the merchandise to suggest the design wasn't created…