Lessons learned: AI image wins a photography prize

A German artist named Boris Eldagsen submitted an AI-generated image to the Sony world photography competition, which won the creative open category.

He later revealed that the image was generated by an AI and refused the prize money, raising questions about the role of AI in art and creativity.

Boris Eldagsen's AI-generated image.

What happened?

His image, titled “Pseudomnesia: The Electrician,” depicts two women, one hanging on to the other from behind. It won the contest’s creative open category.

After the organisers informed him he had won the creative category, Eldagsen admitted to the competition’s organisers that his picture had been generated using machine-learning software, and that he wanted to use the competition to launch a public discussion on how the technology was impacting photography.

According to him, “AI images and photography should not compete with each other in an award like this.” He added that “they are different entities. AI is not photography. Therefore I will not accept the award.”

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What are the implications?

The use of generative AI in art raises concerns about the impact on creativity, originality, and ownership. The debate surrounding AI’s role in art has been ongoing for years, but as the technology advances and becomes more accessible, the conversation becomes more relevant.

Eldagsen’s statement sparks a conversation about the importance of transparency in AI-generated content in competitions and exhibits.

The lack of transparency regarding the use of AI in art may result in unfair competition and raise ethical concerns, such as plagiarism or cheating. There is a need to establish clear guidelines and ethical principles to ensure transparency and accountability in AI-generated art.

To address these concerns, organisers should:

• Ensure transparency and disclosure of AI-generated content in competitions and exhibits.
• Establish clear guidelines for the use of AI-generated content in art and creativity.
• Ensure accountability for the accuracy and impact of AI-generated content.
• Respect the intellectual property rights of both human and AI-generated content.

If the artist had accepted the award without revealing the AI-generated nature of his artwork, it might have led to questions about the competition's credibility, fairness, and accountability. It could also have sparked concerns about the role of AI in art and the devaluation of human creativity.

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