Why Nikon Disqualified a Microscopy Video Over AI Use

Nikon removed Ning Xu’s first-place entry after finding it broke the contest’s generative-AI rules, but important details remain unclear.

Tech & Online SafetyOctober 10, 20263 min readHow Sureno writes this

The short version

Nikon disqualified Ning Xu’s first-place Small World in Motion entry, saying it failed to follow the contest’s rules on generative AI. ¹
Xu said AI-assisted processing helped identify and display details in reconstructed grayscale images, but denied using AI to make the movie, cilia or their movement. ¹²
Reports describe concerns about unusual structures, changing features and apparent AI watermarks in source files, but do not establish a definitive detection method. ²
Nikon named Nguyen Nam Nhat the new winner for a video featuring a roundworm and a single-celled organism. ²

Why did Nikon disqualify the microscopy video?

Nikon said the video that first received the top award in its Small World in Motion competition did not meet its rules for generative AI. The company reviewed the entry after questions about its authenticity appeared online. ¹²

The video, submitted by Ning Xu, was described as showing cilia—small, hair-like structures—moving in a child’s airway. The reporting identifies the child’s condition as primary ciliary dyskinesia, or PCD. ¹²

What did Xu say AI was used for?

Xu said a neural-network method was used during later image processing to help identify and display features in reconstructed grayscale images. A neural network is a computer system designed to find patterns in data. ¹

Xu denied that AI created the experimental video, the cilia or their motion. Image processing and image generation can be different activities, but the sources do not provide enough information about the full workflow or Nikon’s interpretation of its rules to resolve the dispute independently. ²

How did people question whether the video was authentic?

The reporting describes researchers raising concerns about structural irregularities and features that seemed to appear or disappear in ways they considered inconsistent with cell biology. It also says observers noticed marks in source files that appeared to be AI watermarks. ²

These reported observations do not explain exactly how Nikon reached its conclusion. The sources do not say whether the company relied on technical testing, specialist review, the contest rules, or several methods together. They also do not show that any one visual clue can reliably identify AI use in other work.

Who received the award after Xu’s entry was removed?

Nikon named Nguyen Nam Nhat of Vietnam as the replacement winner. His entry depicts a roundworm alongside a single-celled organism called Dileptus. ²

Small World in Motion is Nikon’s contest for microscope videos. It is related to the company’s contest for microscope photographs. ²

What does the case mean for AI disclosure rules?

The case highlights the importance of clear rules about which AI tools are allowed and what entrants must disclose. Processing images to reveal or clarify details is not the same as generating new imagery, but the sources do not explain exactly how Nikon applied that distinction here.

Nikon said it was reviewing its competition rules. The reporting available here does not include revised wording or details about how future entries will be assessed. Entrants should check the rules for the particular contest rather than assume that all competitions treat AI tools alike. ¹

What we don't know yet

Which part of Xu’s image-processing workflow Nikon considered a rule violation.
What evidence and review process Nikon used to decide the entry did not comply.
What changes Nikon will make to its rules and how it will handle disclosure in future contests.

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Questions people ask

Who became the Nikon Small World in Motion winner?

Nikon named Nguyen Nam Nhat of Vietnam as the new winner after removing Xu’s entry. His video features a roundworm and the single-celled organism Dileptus. ²

Did Ning Xu say AI created the video?

Xu said AI-assisted processing was used to identify and display features in reconstructed grayscale images. Xu denied using AI to create the experimental video, the cilia or their movement. ¹²

What led people to question the video?

Reports describe concerns about structural irregularities and features that appeared or disappeared in ways some researchers considered unlike cell biology. Observers also reportedly found marks in source files that looked like AI watermarks. ²

Can viewers identify AI-generated scientific videos by sight?

The reports mention visual concerns and apparent marks in source files, but they do not establish a dependable test based only on appearance. They also do not detail Nikon’s review method. ²

Is Nikon changing its contest rules on AI?

Nikon said it was reviewing its rules after the disqualification. The available reporting does not give the revised rules or explain how future entries will be checked. ¹

Sources

Nikon microscopic video competition winner disqualified for using generative AI — The Verge, 2026-10-09
AI disqualification yields new Nikon Small World in Motion winner — Ars Technica, 2026-10-09

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