The Super Mario Bros. cartoon is back, but looks really weird and AI might be to blame (www.engadget.com)

The classic 1989 animated series, *The Super Mario Bros. Super Show*, has made a comeback on MeTV Toons, coinciding with hype surrounding the upcoming *Super Mario Galaxy Movie*. However, the revival has faced criticism due to the apparent use of a low-quality AI upscaling algorithm, which has resulted in subpar video quality. This AI-enhanced footage noticeably alters character appearances and even modifies the show's title, indicating a failure in the technology’s ability to accurately represent the original material. This incident is significant for the AI/ML community as it highlights the current limitations of AI-based upscaling technologies, especially in preserving the integrity of visual content. While AI can enhance and upscale images, it struggles with nuanced details and textual accuracy, leading to "weird" and unintended results. This situation serves as a cautionary tale for media outlets looking to improve older content digitally—underscoring the need for careful oversight when applying AI tools in creative industries to ensure that the essence of beloved properties is maintained.