Sony World Photography Award winner declines award after revealing portrait was created by AI

The German artist who won the Sony World Photography Award refused to accept the award after revealing that the black-and-white portraits of two women were actually created. AI.

Boris Eldagsen cheated the competition organizers with his entry, Pseudomnesia: The Electrician. Here’s a haunting close-up of her two women in grainy sepia who won her category for Creative Open last week.

He surprised the organizers by declining the prize, claiming that “AI is not photography.” Because he hopes to generate debate over the future of art.

The World Photography Organization, which runs Sony’s awards, told MailOnline that it was deliberately misunderstood by Eldagsen about the extent to which AI would be involved.

Eldagsen, 52, described it as a “historic moment” in a statement posted on his website, adding: isn’t it.

“AI images and photos should not compete for such awards. They are different entities. AI is not a photo.

Eldagsen, who spent 30 years as a photographer before turning to AI, hopes the award at London’s Somerset House will spark discussion.

He added: A discussion about what we want to consider photos and what we don’t. Is the umbrella in the photo big enough to entice the AI ​​image, or is this a mistake?

“By declining the award, I hope to accelerate this debate.”

Eldagsen has reignited the debate over the rapid development of AI by making a fuss to decline the prize at the prestigious awards ceremony.

A recent fake photo of the arrested Donald Trump and the Pope in a blowfish jacket has raised concerns about the future of AI.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak are among those who have publicly declared their concerns about the development of AI.

In an open letter to The Future of Life Institute, Musk and 100 others called for a moratorium on the “dangerous race” to develop AI, urging humanity to accept the risks associated with technological progress. claimed to have not yet grasped the full extent of

They have asked all AI labs to halt product development for at least six months until more risk assessments are done.

Musk and others worry that technology will become so advanced that it no longer needs or listens to human intervention.

The World Photography Organization said it believed Erdagsen’s entry was a “co-creation” of his image using an AI that “met the criteria for this category”, adding, “We appreciate his participation. supported,” he added.

He noted his interest in the “creative potential of AI generators”, adding that “enhancement of images relies heavily on his extensive knowledge of photography.”

The spokesperson added:

“Therefore, following our interaction with Boris and the assurances he provided, we felt that his entry met the criteria for this category and supported his participation. We look forward to doing it and welcomed Boris’s desire to interact by preparing a dedicated Q&A question with him for our website.

“Since he has decided to decline the award, we have suspended our activities with him and have removed him from the competition in accordance with his wishes.

“Given his actions, and subsequent statements pointing out his deliberate attempts to mislead us, it is no longer meaningful and constructive for him to void the assurances he provided. I feel that I cannot have a dialogue.

They continue: We will explore this topic further through various channels and programs and welcome conversations about it.

“While elements of AI practice are relevant to the artistic context of image creation, the award will always remain a platform to champion the excellence and skill of photographers and artists working in this medium. ”