Artificial intelligence (AI)-generated images have recently caused a stir in the world of photography, with some questioning their place in the field. Boris Eldagsen, winner of the creative open category at the Sony World Photography Awards, refused his prize after it was revealed that his winning entry was an AI creation. Eldagsen submitted the image to spark a conversation about the future of photography and to test the competition’s response. He argued that AI images and traditional photography should not compete in the same category.

The debate around the use of AI in various industries, including songwriting, essay writing, driverless cars, chatbot therapists, and medicine development, has been ongoing for several months. However, the use of AI in photography has become a new focal point. Artists and photographers who previously identified flaws in AI-generated images are now finding it increasingly difficult to spot them. The power of AI technology continues to increase each week, which raises concerns about whether AI systems exploit the works of hundreds of thousands of human creators on which they are trained.

The use of AI-generated images also raises ethical and legal questions about who owns the copyright for such images. The controversy surrounding AI-generated images in photography has led some to call for separate categories in competitions. Organizers of the Sony World Photography Awards claim that Eldagsen misled them regarding the extent of AI used in his entry. Eldagsen admitted he had been “cheeky monkey,” but he stated that he wanted to engage in an open discussion about the topic.

The debate around AI-generated images in photography shows no sign of abating. While some consider AI as a new category of art and just another tool, others see it as a threat to the traditional art of photography. The power of AI technology will continue to increase, and concerns about its impact on traditional art forms will persist. The question of whether AI-generated images should be allowed to compete in photography competitions remains contentious. However, the controversy surrounding AI-generated images in photography has highlighted the need for a broader discussion on the topic.

The future of AI-generated images in photography is uncertain, and the discussion around them will continue. The controversy surrounding the winning entry of the Sony World Photography Awards has raised questions about whether AI-generated images should be considered in the same category as traditional photography. As AI technology advances, so do the concerns about the impact it will have on traditional art forms. Ultimately, the discussion around AI-generated images in photography is necessary to ensure that traditional art forms are not unfairly exploited.