AI award-winning flamingo image gets disqualified for being real photo

A photo captured by Miles Astray's Nikon DSLR camera of a flamingo appeared as a headless ball of pink fluff with long, slender legs. This image, which initially triumphed in the 1839 International AI Award competition this year, has revealed an unexpected twist, adding a layer of intrigue to the story. 

His entry was disqualified from the competition after revealing that he had captured the photo naturally. However, while the photo was not AI-generated, he did use AI tools to enhance the image's colors and contrast. These tools, commonly used in photography, do not result in art that is considered AI-created, but they do raise questions about the demarcation between human and AI creativity. 

Astray’s flamingo submission to the AI competition not only proved that human-generated art has retained its impact in the world of the algorithm but also sparked a profound debate about the role of human creativity in AI-generated art, a topic of great curiosity in the intersection of technology and art. 

The 1839 AI Awards, a globally recognized photography competition that received entries from 55 countries in 2024, is at the center of the ongoing debate regarding Astray's photo. This prestigious competition, known for its focus on algorithm-created art, was the perfect platform for his controversial submission. The competition, founded in 1839, has a long history of celebrating technological advancements in art and has been a driving force in the development of AI-generated art. 

Organizational decision and diverse opinions

Lily Fierman, a director and co-founder of the 1839 Awards, initially appreciated the unique submission. However, after an internal debate, she emailed him to let him know that they had decided to disqualify his entry. While this had significant implications for the art community, the decision was not made lightly. The disqualification was felt necessary to protect the integrity of AI digital art and maintain fairness for the other contestants. 

Their decision was based on the competition's guidelines, which state that submissions must be AI-generated images. Supporters of digital art have expressed a diversity of opinions focusing on the creative boundaries and preserving the separation between AI innovation and art photography. 

• Some argue that AI editing tools are enhancements and should not be considered the sole creator of art. 
• Others believe that this situation raises questions regarding the authenticity, human creativity and ethical implications of AI's role in art creation. This debate is crucial in shaping the future of art and technology.

Trust in AI digital artistic expression is crucial for the progressive future, where human creativity and AI collaborate to navigate the ethical challenges presented by technologies like deepfakes.