Nikon photo contest winner re-evaluated amid AI concerns

Nikon's prestigious Small World In Motion competition is under scrutiny after its winning entry was challenged by other scientists over alleged use of artificial intelligence (AI). The contest, which showcases microscopic images and videos, has been running annually for 15 years.

The winning submission, a short video by Dr Ning Xu of Tsinghua University, China, claims to show moving, hair-like structures called cilia within the airways of a child with a rare disease. Dr Xu has denied breaking competition rules, though he admitted AI was used to "distinguish and visualize features" in processed grayscale images, stating it was not used to generate the experimental movie, cilia, or their motion.

Critics, however, point to shapes and movements within the video that they argue do not align with normal cellular structures or behaviors. Edward Phelps, associate professor at the University of Florida, observed structures appearing and disappearing, while PhD student Ian Donovan from UT Southwestern Medical Center claimed to have seen a watermark indicating an AI-generated source image.

Nikon has confirmed it is investigating the matter and has received additional technical documents from Dr Xu. The company previously stated it "doesn't see that any rules were violated" but indicated an update would follow. Former competition judges have emphasized that rules prohibit the use of generative AI for creating content or significantly altering images, and that submissions must be captured under a microscope.

The Small World In Motion contest celebrates scientific discovery through compelling visuals. This situation highlights the increasing challenges in distinguishing genuine scientific documentation from AI-generated or manipulated material in scientific contexts.