Nikon microscopic video competition winner disqualified for using generative AI
2026-10-09 · The Verge
A doctor won first place in Nikon's prestigious Small World in Motion microscopy competition with a video supposedly showing cilia in a child's airway — except it was generated by AI. Nikon disqualified the entry for violating their generative AI rules, because apparently even microscopic imagery isn't safe from people faking it with AI. Nothing says 'scientific integrity' like submitting AI slop to a competition celebrating real microscopy.