AI controversy leads to new winner in Nikon microscopic video contest

A new winner has been announced in Nikon's Small World in Motion competition following the disqualification of the original champion, Ning Xu, due to allegations of AI use. Xu, from Tsinghua University in China, was initially declared the winner for his video depicting cilia in a child's airways. However, Nikon's investigation found his entry violated competition rules. The new winner is Nguyen Nam Nhat of Vietnam, whose video showcases a roundworm and a single-celled organism. Researchers raised concerns about Xu's video, citing structural abnormalities and potential AI watermarks. Xu claimed AI was used to enhance grayscale images but denied generating the experimental footage. The competition, established in 2011, highlights microscopic beauty through video, building on its photomicrography counterpart since 1974. Other finalists advanced with Xu's disqualification. Benedikt Pleyer of Germany placed second with jellyfish larvae footage, while Andrew Moore of the US secured third place for synchronized cell division. Patrick Hickey of Scotland and Igor Adameyko of the UK rounded out the top five.