Prize-winning image which sparked backlash was AI-generated, Nikon rules
Nikon has disqualified a winning entry from its Small World In Motion photography contest after experts identified the video as AI-generated. The company is now reviewing its competition rules regarding the use of generative AI in scientific imagery.
Why it matters
This incident underscores the growing challenge of verifying authenticity in scientific research and imagery as AI tools become more sophisticated.
Figure caption, Watch: The competition's former winner and runners up. Nikon disqualified the winning video (shown left).
Technology & AI editor Published 42 minutes ago The winner of a prestigious scientific photography competition has been disqualified following concerns raised by other scientists that it was fake.
Nikon said the use of generative AI in the composition of the video broke the rules of its Small World In Motion contest, which accepts photos and video taken using powerful microscopes.
The firm said the video "did not comply with the competition rules regarding generative AI", but added it was not a judgement of the entrant's professional reputation or scientific contributions.
It said it would now look at the rules and procedures of the annual contest, which has been running for 15 years and is specifically for microscopic images.
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