Nikon Small World in Motion competition deepfake video
Nikon is re-reviewing a winning entry in its Small World in Motion competition following allegations that AI was used to manipulate microscopic imagery
- Reported date
- Oct 1, 2026
- Target
- Nikon Small World in Motion competition
The exact incident date was not established. This entry is dated by its source report.
A winning entry in the Nikon Small World in Motion 2026 competition has sparked controversy after members of the scientific community alleged the use of AI to manipulate microscopic imagery. The dispute centers on the appearance of hair-like cilia structures in the video, with critics suggesting the presence of an AI watermark.
What happened
The winning entry, submitted by Dr. Nin Xu, faced scrutiny when observers claimed that AI tools were used to alter the microscopic footage. While the competition rules allow for entries taken through a microscope, the scientific community raised concerns regarding the authenticity of the visual data presented.
Dr. Xu has not denied using AI, but maintains that his application of the technology remained within the contest's guidelines. He stated that AI was utilized to "distinguish and visualise" features within a reconstructed greyscale image, noting that specific regions were rendered to improve visual presentation rather than to provide an anatomical reconstruction.
In response to the public outcry, Nikon has initiated a re-review of the entry. The organization is currently evaluating information provided during the initial vetting process alongside additional supporting materials submitted by the entrant. Dr. Xu is cooperating with the review by providing technical details regarding his microscopy equipment, imaging methods, and processing techniques. As of the latest reports, the image remains displayed as a winning entry on the official Nikon competition website while the jury continues its assessment.