Nikon disqualifies microscopy contest winner over AI-generated video

Nikon has disqualified the winner of its Small World In Motion scientific photography contest after scientists raised concerns the video was fake. The entry by Dr Ning Xu of Tsinghua University showed cilia moving in the airway of a child with PCD, but Nikon ruled its use of generative AI broke competition rules.

• Winner was Dr Ning Xu of Tsinghua University in China
• Video showed cilia moving in a child's airway with PCD
• Scientists including former judges complained on LinkedIn
• Nikon will review rules of the 15-year-old contest