AI-powered photo competition deserves a prize on account of its sole advantage

In the ever-evolving world of photography, the rise of AI-generated images has posed a significant challenge to the credibility and fairness of traditional photography competitions. Tom May, a renowned editor and journalist with a rich background in the field, has weighed in on the issue.

May, who has served as editor of Professional Photography magazine, associate editor at Creative Bloq, and deputy editor at net magazine, has also worked for a wide range of mainstream titles including The Sun, Radio Times, NME, T3, Heat, Company, and Bella. His expertise in the industry makes his insights valuable.

The increasing use of AI-generated images has led to some AI creations winning traditional categories, damaging the credibility of all competitions and the discipline as a whole. To address this issue, photography contests can implement one or both of the following strategies:

Create a dedicated AI category: Contests should establish a separate AI-generated image category with its own judging criteria and prizes. This approach removes the incentive for participants to submit AI images in traditional photography categories, allowing AI art and human photography to coexist without undermining each other’s integrity.
Set clear rules banning AI-generated images in certain categories: Particularly in photojournalism or documentary photography contests, AI-generated images should be explicitly prohibited to maintain authenticity and integrity. For example, the World Press Photo Contest faced backlash when initially allowing AI images in their Open Format category, prompting a rule update to exclude AI-generated content from documentary categories and define acceptable levels of AI use in editing tools.

This dual approach balances embracing AI as a creative tool while preserving trust and clarity in traditional photography competitions. Clear guidelines distinguishing permissible AI-assisted editing (like AI tools within Photoshop) from AI-generated or manipulated content can help maintain ethical standards. Encouraging honesty in submissions and establishing technical or manual verification methods can further support contest integrity.

However, AI is learning to convincingly fake metadata, making it difficult for contest organizers to verify the authenticity of images. Contest organizers are scrambling for solutions such as requiring RAW files or metadata verification, but AI continues to adapt. When there's a clear, legal path for AI, it's much easier to enforce strict "humans only" rules elsewhere.

The move would help rebuild trust in traditional categories. For instance, Boris Eldagsen's AI-generated image won the Sony World Photography Awards two years ago, a win that raised eyebrows due to the AI's ability to create genuinely good enough images to fool experts. A Sydney-based AI studio's AI-generated dreamy drone shot of surfers also fooled judges in a contest, highlighting the need for clear boundaries.

This isn't about legitimizing AI art at the expense of photography. Instead, it's about creating clear boundaries that benefit everyone. As people view "perfect" images with suspicious eyes, wondering if they are real or not, it's essential for contests to take action to maintain the integrity of traditional photography categories.

Every photography contest should immediately create a dedicated AI category, ensuring that AI-generated images have a space to compete without undermining the credibility of traditional photography. The dedicated AI category would have its own prizes and judging criteria, providing a platform for AI-generated images while preserving the authenticity and integrity of traditional photography.

Tom May, an esteemed editor and journalist with experience from publications like Professional Photography magazine, Creative Bloq, net magazine, and numerous mainstream titles, has expressed concern about the impact of AI-generated images on traditional photography competitions.
The rise of AI-generated images has been a challenge for photography competitions, with some AI creations winning traditional categories that potentially damage the credibility of all competitions and the photography discipline as a whole.
To address this issue, photography contests can implement strategies such as creating a dedicated AI category with its own judging criteria and prizes, or setting clear rules prohibiting AI-generated images in certain categories like photojournalism or documentary photography.
The World Press Photo Contest faced backlash when initially allowing AI images in their Open Format category, prompting a rule update to exclude AI-generated content from documentary categories and define acceptable levels of AI use in editing tools.
Despite efforts to verify the authenticity of images, AI is becoming increasingly proficient at faking metadata, making it difficult for contest organizers to distinguish AI-generated images from human-made ones.
The creation of a dedicated AI category would provide a platform for AI-generated images without undermining the credibility of traditional photography, ensuring that both forms of art can coexist ethically.
As people grow more skeptical about the authenticity of images in photography contests, the need for clear boundaries and ethical standards becomes paramount to maintain the integrity of traditional photography categories.