Fake news: Nikon disqualifies Small World in Motion competition winner over controversial AI use
Another prestigious image competition falls foul of the curse of AI created or enhanced entries. This time Nikon’s annual Small World in Motion contest is the latest to kick out its winning entry The post Fake news: Nikon disqualifies Small World in Motion competition winner over controversial AI use appeared first on Amateur Photographer .
The Nikon Small World in Motion 2026 competition, which showcases digital time-lapse photos and videos through a microscope, recently came under scrutiny following online controversy. The winner, Dr. Nin Xu, has been disqualified by the manufacturer after it was confirmed that artificial intelligence (AI) was used in the creation of his winning entry.
The controversy arose due to the presence of tiny "cilia" hair-like structures in the images, which were suggested to have been fabricated using AI. Dr. Xu initially defended the use of AI, stating it helped distinguish and visualize features, primarily for enhancing visual impact rather than providing an anatomical reconstruction.
However, Nikon's official guidelines emphasize that entries are judged on originality, informational content, technical proficiency, and visual impact. Upon re-examination, it was found that the winning entry did not fully comply with the competition's rules. Nikon has acknowledged that this incident is not a reflection on Dr. Xu's professional standing or scientific contributions.
The company has vowed to review its rules and procedures for future contests. AI usage in photography competitions has been a contentious topic, as evidenced by past incidents, such as an AI-created winner in the Creative Open category of the Sony World Photography Awards in 2023 and an AI-enhanced finalist in the Hasselblad Masters 2026 competition.
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