Sony World Photography Award 2023: Winner refuses award after revealing AI creation

[Jimbuna]

The winner of a major photography award has refused his prize after revealing his work was in fact an AI creation.

German artist Boris Eldagsen's entry, entitled Pseudomnesia: The Electrician, won the creative open category at last week's Sony World Photography Award.

He said he used the picture to test the competition and to create a discussion about the future of photography.

Organisers of the award told BBC News Eldagsen had mis-led them about the extent of AI that would be involved.

In a statement shared on his website, Eldagsen admitted he had been a "cheeky monkey", thanking the judges for "selecting my image and making this a historic moment", while questioning if any of them "knew or suspected that it was AI-generated".

"AI images and photography should not compete with each other in an award like this," he continued.

"They are different entities. AI is not photography. Therefore I will not accept the award."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-65296763

[Skybird]

Becoming aware of AI in all its facets and implications is a necessity of vital importance, I am convinced. It has the potential to destroy our culture, indeed civilization, perhaps even our biological species, all species. It doesn't even have to become an entity like in the Terminator movies. The careless abuse by or the indifference of a sufficient number of people can already be enough.

And most people somehow do not realize this at all, be it that they lack imagination, be it that the reality of their lives so clogs them with distractions and work and essential direct situational necessities that they no longer have the time or strength to think.

[Sean C]

I'm no expert, but I would have been suspicious of this image. Mainly because I watched this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24yjRbBah3w

[Jimbuna]

Becoming aware of AI in all its facets and implications is a necessity of vital importance, I am convinced. It has the potential to destroy our culture, indeed civilization, perhaps even our biological species, all species. It doesn't even have to become an entity like in the Terminator movies. The careless abuse by or the indifference of a sufficient number of people can already be enough.

And most people somehow do not realize this at all, be it that they lack imagination, be it that the reality of their lives so clogs them with distractions and work and essential direct situational necessities that they no longer have the time or strength to think.

Mankind is simply becoming lazy and in so many ways.

[Mork_417]

Mankind is simply becoming lazy and in so many ways.

Completely agree.