Nikon Disqualifies Winner of Small World in Motion Competition for Using AI
Nikon said the video violated its rules on generative AI after a re-review and named a new winner, adjusting the competition rankings.
- Nikon disqualified the winning video from this year's Small World in Motion contest after determining it violated rules against generative AI. The competition, running for 15 years, is specifically for microscopic images.
- Controversy erupted after experts flagged structural abnormalities in the winning entry by Dr. Ning Xu of the National University of Singapore. Xu admitted using AI for post-processing but denied breaking contest rules.
- Dr. Robert Hirst, University of Leicester scientist diagnosing PCD for 20 years, said he "knew immediately that the video was fabricated." He noted the cells "look nothing like those from PCD patients."
- Following the disqualification, Nikon updated the contest rankings, naming Nguyen Nam Nhat the new winner for his video of a roundworm and Dileptus. The company will revisit rules and procedures for future entries.
- Scientific experts emphasize that researchers must "be able to trust that what we are seeing is grounded in the underlying measurement," per Melanie White, University of Queensland developmental biologist. Nikon noted advances in imaging and AI create evolving challenges.
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41 Articles
In the world of digital art, there is a distinction between photography and "promptography."
Nikon disqualifies winner of its prestigious scientific imaging competition mired by AI controversy
Nikon disqualified the winner of the 2026 Small World in Motion Video Competition after the judges determined AI was involved in its creation, but company is keeping details of exactly how under wraps…
Nikon revokes first prize in Small World in Motion video competition over AI use
By Jack Guy, CNN (CNN) — The winner of a prestigious scientific photography competition has been disqualified after organizers concluded that his use of generative AI broke the rules. Ning Xu was named the winner of the annual Nikon Small World in Motion competition in September, but his video received a number of critical comments
The AI image was supposedly taken with an advanced microscope and shows the movement of tiny hairs in the airways. The post The judges were fooled too – Winner of a famous photography competition had used AI appeared first on in.gr.
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