The World Press Photo Contest recently faced controversy over its initial decision to allow AI-generated imagery in its Open Format competition category. This decision received swift criticism from photojournalists who argued that including artificially created images in a contest meant for documenting real-world events went against the principles of the industry.
In response to the backlash, the World Press Photo Foundation has reconsidered its stance and updated the contest rules to exclude AI-generated images from the Open Format category. Unlike other instances where decisions of this nature might be divisive, I agree with this reversal. Allowing AI-generated images in a competition focused on capturing real-world events could compromise the authenticity and integrity of photojournalism.
The updated rules provide clearer guidelines on what constitutes an AI-generated image, distinguishing acceptable AI editing tools from those that introduce new information to manipulate images. The Foundation has collaborated with various stakeholders to establish ethical standards, ensuring that photographs are accurate representations of what photographers witnessed and not misleading to the public.
Given the increasing integration of AI in cameras and editing software, the World Press Photo Foundation’s effort to define permissible levels of AI manipulation is commendable. With apps like Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom featuring AI-assisted editing tools and smartphones incorporating AI into imaging systems, it is crucial to maintain a clear distinction between AI “art” and photojournalism. This move reflects a proactive approach to address the challenges posed by evolving technology in the photography industry.
AI generated imagery banned from photo competition
The World Press Photo Contest recently faced controversy over its initial decision to allow AI-generated imagery in its Open Format competition category. This decision received swift criticism from photojournalists who argued that including artificially created images in a contest meant for documenting real-world events went against the principles of the industry.
In this post:
More Posts
16 August 2025
Philippe Starck’s First AI Chair: Human Meets Machine
Discover Philippe Starck’s groundbreaking A.I. Chair—the world’s first commercial design created with artificial intelligence. A new era of sustainable, collaborative creativity.
8 August 2025
Norma Kamali’s AI Fashion.
Fashion icon Norma Kamali is redefining design through AI—and her bold evolution mirrors my own as a female artist using AI to create new worlds. Here’s how tech is transforming creativity, opportunity, and identity.
15 July 2025
AI Art restoration
We’re constantly surrounded by media warnings that AI is replacing artists or stealing work via tools like Midjourney, but AI in art is far more nuanced and hopeful.
1 July 2025
When Icons Become Algorithms: My Take on the Midjourney Lawsuit
When I first typed a prompt into Midjourney, it felt like conjuring half-remembered dreams — thrilling, but uneasy. Now, with a $30 million lawsuit from Disney and Universal over alleged AI plagiarism, that unease has exploded into a full-blown reckoning. As an artist, I stand between admiration for these tools and the urgent need for ethical reform. This moment could either suffocate or strengthen the future of AI art.
3 June 2025
The Shape of the Brush Has Changed: On AI and Creativity
How is AI reshaping human creativity? A raw and poetic reflection on machine collaboration, authorship, and the uneasy beauty born between code and soul. Keywords: AI and creativity, machine learning art, human-AI collaboration, digital authorship, creative process in AI age.
27 May 2025
The Wisdom of Aunties: Celebrating Aging, Culture, and Quiet Power
In a world obsessed with youth, niceaunties.com stands out — a vibrant homage to aging gracefully, rooted in Asian auntie culture. It’s a celebration of wisdom, resilience, and intergenerational beauty that feels as magical as a Studio Ghibli film.
20 May 2025
The Future of AI Art: Shared, Not Stolen
May 2025 marks a major shift in the AI and art landscape. As governments debate copyright and artists demand fairness, Selina Scerri offers a passionate call for ethical innovation and creative dignity.
6 May 2025
David Salle, AI, and the Door We Should Have Opened Sooner
Postmodern painter David Salle collaborates with AI to reimagine his earlier works, blending digital underpainting with expressive brushstrokes. His innovative approach opens new avenues for artists integrating technology into their creative processes.