A Keith Haring painting about the AIDS crisis that was altered using AI caused controversy, with users labelling the activity as unethical and self-promotional.

Twitter user @DonnellVillage responded to a tweet about Haring's famous 1989 painting by writing, 'The story behind this painting is so sad! Now using AI we can complete what he couldn't finish!'  

Reaction to the image, which quickly went viral, was mixed with some users praising the altered work whilst others called it 'evil', 'rage bait' and 'homophobic', and called its creator 'vile'. 

It was a 'tone-deaf and some might say ignorant modification which completes the painting ignores the piece's context, disregards its intent, and destroys its meaning,' according to Euronews.

Haring, who died aged 31 years-old from AIDS shortly after the painting was done, had said the work is a completed self-portrait that was intentionally left to look 'unfinished' as he knew he would not be able to complete it before his death.