A German artist, Boris Eldagsen, has generated controversy by winning a prestigious photography award with an image created entirely with the help of artificial intelligence (AI). Eldagsen claims that he informed the organizers of the competition, the Sony World Photography Awards, that he was going to use an algorithm to create his image but has now turned down the award. For their part, the organizers accused Eldagsen of having “deliberately lied” about using AI, although they later withdrew the accusation. The image, titled “Pseudoamnesia: The Electrician,” is sepia-toned and shows two women facing the camera in a vaguely antique style, as if it were a photograph from the early 20th century. Sony World Photography Awards presented him with the award for best creative photography in March.
Photography is one of the artistic fields most affected by the impact of AI, which allows anyone to create ultra-realistic images simply by dialoguing with a “chatbox.” Eldagsen has claimed in interviews that his entry was intended to provoke debate around AI and that “I entered as a cheeky guy to find out if competitions are ready for the advent of AI. They aren’t.” Last year, a piece of artwork created with AI won a prize in a competition in Colorado (USA) and generated controversy.
The photo contest, following the artist’s wishes, withdrew the work. In a statement, Sony World Photography Awards explained that, given Eldagsen’s actions and subsequent statements, they no longer believe it is possible to have a constructive dialogue with him. As AI continues to impact artistic production, questions are being raised about how creativity and authorship will be defined in the future.