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World Press Photo Draws AI Line
24 Apr
Summary
- AI-generated images are not considered photography.
- Entries must be captured with a camera, no synthetic images.
- AI tools allowed if they don't alter image information.

The World Press Photo competition has clarified its stance on artificial intelligence in photography, emphasizing that AI-generated images do not qualify as authentic. The organization insists that "A photograph captures light on a sensor or film. It is a record of a physical moment."
This year's winning entry, "Separated by ICE" by Carol Guzy, showcases children with their father, adhering to stringent rules. Entries must be captured with a camera, with a strict ban on synthetic images and generative fill during post-production. Smartphone photos are allowed only in standard mode, excluding those using HDR or portrait modes.
While some AI tools for denoising or color adjustments are permissible, they must not alter or add information to the original captured image. Tools like AI-powered enlarging or sharpening are explicitly disallowed, as they introduce new information. These comprehensive rules aim to define genuine photography in the age of AI.