Nationally recognized scientific photography contest organizer Nikon announced it is carefully re‑reviewing the winning entry from its 16th annual Small World in Motion competition. The decision follows criticism from members of the microscopy community who raised concerns about the role of artificial intelligence in the video.
Background on the winning entry
The winning video was created by researcher Ning Xu, who at the time was affiliated with Tsinghua University in China and has since become a research fellow at the National University of Singapore. Using an advanced microscopic imaging tool, Xu captured the abnormal beating patterns of airway cilia – hair‑like structures that line the respiratory tract – in a child diagnosed with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), a rare genetic disorder.
Criticism and questions
After the video was posted on LinkedIn in September, several viewers voiced serious concerns. Edward Phelps, an associate professor at the University of Florida, said the biological structures in the footage do not behave as expected and called for an explanation from Nikon. Ian Donovan, a PhD student at UT Southwestern Medical Center, noted an embedded SynthID watermark that identifies synthetic or AI‑generated content.
Xu’s response
In a LinkedIn comment, Xu clarified that AI was not used to generate the experimental movie, the cilia, or their motion. He explained that AI was applied only after the grayscale data had been reconstructed, to distinguish and color structures with similar morphology. Xu added that a more detailed description of the optical system and quantitative analysis of the ciliary motion are being prepared for publication.
Nikon’s stance
Nikon said in a statement that Xu is “respectfully complying and has provided detailed technical documentation outlining the microscopy equipment, imaging methods, and processing techniques used to create the source video.” The company emphasized that it is “carefully re‑reviewing the information” provided and will determine whether the entry complies with contest rules.
Why the issue matters
The controversy highlights a growing debate in scientific imaging about the appropriate use of AI for visualization versus data generation. While AI can enhance clarity and aesthetic appeal, scientists stress the importance of transparency when AI alters or augments raw data that support scientific claims.
Next steps
Nikon has not yet announced a final decision regarding the contest award. The organization indicated that any findings from its review will be shared publicly. Meanwhile, the microscopy community continues to call for clear guidelines on AI usage in scientific publications to preserve the integrity of research findings.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
