Nikon photography contest winner loses title after scientists spot signs of AI
AI summary Nikon withdrew first prize in its 16th Small World in Motion microscopy video contest from Ning Xu of Tsinghua University after its investigation found he had broken the rules. Researchers had flagged odd cell shapes and structures appearing and vanishing in his clip of cilia from a young patient with primary ciliary dyskinesia, and PhD student Ian Donovan reported an apparent AI watermark in the source image. Xu said AI was used only in post-processing, not to create the footage. The award now goes to Nguyen Nam Nhat of Vietnam, and Nikon plans to review its rules and judging procedures.
