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Nikon disqualified the winner of its Small World In Motion scientific photography competition after determining that the winning video was created using generative AI, which violated contest rules. Dr. Ning Xu from Tsinghua University in China submitted a video showing cilia movement in a child's airway affected by PCD but used artificial intelligence in the composition process. Other scientists raised concerns about the authenticity of the video on Nikon’s LinkedIn page, prompting an investigation that led to its disqualification. Nikon stated it would review contest rules and procedures following this incident.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-09,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Nikon disqualified the winner of its Small World In Motion scientific photography contest after determining that the winning entry was created using AI. The video, submitted by Dr Ning Xu from Tsinghua University in China, depicted tiny hair-like structures called cilia moving in a child's airway affected by Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD). University of Leicester scientist Dr Robert Hirst voiced initial concerns about the authenticity of the entry. Nikon stated that the use of AI for image composition violated contest rules and decided to review its procedures going forward, despite acknowledging that this decision does not affect Dr Xu's professional reputation or scientific contributions. The competition, now in its 15th year, is specifically designed for microscopic images and videos showcasing biological specimens.
Written for “AI Generated Photo Controversy” on 2026-10-09,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
This article does not take a side on a contested political
question, so it has no leaning score. That is an
answer rather than a gap: a match report or a rescue can be warmly
or critically written without being left or right, and scoring it
anyway is how approval of a subject gets recorded as a political
position.
No political leaning scored for article 68754 · logged 2026-10-09
- Published
The winner of a prestigious scientific photography competition has been disqualified following concerns raised by other scientists that it was fake.
asserted
it → publish → scientists
Nikon said the use of generative AI in the composition of the video broke the rules of its Small World In Motion contest, which accepts photos and video taken using powerful microscopes.
asserted
which → say → microscopes
The firm said the video "did not comply with the competition rules regarding generative AI", but added it was not a judgement of the entrant's professional reputation or scientific contributions.
asserted
it → say → reputation
It said it would now look at the rules and procedures of the annual contest, which has been running for 15 years and is specifically for microscopic images.
asserted
which → say → images
Nikon said it came to the decision "after thoroughly re-evaluating the video and supporting materials and consulting with members of our judging panel".
asserted
it → say → panel
The winning entry came from Dr Ning Xu, from Tsinghua University in China, who submitted a short video showing tiny, hair-like structures called cilia moving in the airway of a child with the respiratory condition PCD.
asserted
who → win → condition
The BBC has approached him for comment.
asserted
BBC → approach → comment
A number of scientists, including former competition judges, complained to Nikon on its LinkedIn page that the video did not appear to be real.
asserted
video → include → page
Xu had acknowledged using AI, but said he believed he had acted within the rules, and had cooperated with Nikon's investigation.
asserted
he → acknowledge → investigation
University of Leicester scientist Dr Robert Hirst, who was among the first experts to voice concerns, said he was "not surprised" and he "knew immediately that the video was fabricated".
"I have been diagnosing PCD for 20 years by examining their cilia waveform, length, cell size and shape," he said.
asserted
he → voice → waveform
Hirst, who is lead scientist for the NHS centre for PCD diagnosis at the university, said the cells and cilia "look nothing like those from PCD patients".
"This controversy has impacted a lot of patients, scientists, doctors and PCD support networks around the world," he said.
asserted
he → say → world
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