Nikon Disqualifies Winning Video Processed With AI

Nikon has disqualified an entry that was initially selected as the winner of its Small World in Motion microscopic video competition. The company said that Dr. Ning Xu’s video violated the competition’s rules on generative artificial intelligence. The video purportedly showed the movement of cilia, tiny hair-like structures, in the airway of a child with a respiratory disorder called PCD.

After questions about whether the footage was genuine sparked online debate, Nikon launched an investigation last week. Dr. Ning Xu later acknowledged on LinkedIn that artificial intelligence had been used to create the video. According to Xu, the grayscale images obtained from high-resolution optical imaging underwent additional processing using an AI system known as an unsupervised neural network to make details easier to distinguish and display.

Because of the rule violation, Dr. Ning Xu’s video was disqualified from the competition and removed from the company’s website. In the updated results, Nguyen Nam Nhat’s video moved up to 1st place. The entry previously selected as the winner no longer appears in the competition’s official rankings. Nikon said the decision was based on the competition’s rules regarding generative artificial intelligence.

Following the incident, Nikon said it would review the competition rules and evaluation process for future submissions. The company wants to state more clearly how AI-processed scientific images should be submitted to the competition. Nikon also emphasized that the disqualification should not be seen as a judgment of Dr. Ning Xu’s professional reputation, contributions to science, or intentions.