Exploring the Boundaries of Creativity in the Digital Age by Understanding the Impact and Implications of AI Work in Photography Competitions

Abstract

The digital era has significantly impacted photography, especially in competitions, with AI-generated works sparking debates on creativity and ethics. This study investigates two key incidents: the controversy over an Indonesian photograph's AI accusation in a European competition, and the revocation of a competition winner's title upon discovering AI use. Using Edmund Feldman's analysis, the research explores these cases through description, formal analysis, interpretation, and evaluation. The description outlines the incidents' details, while formal analysis examines the visual and technical distinctions between AI-generated and human-made works. Interpretation reveals the implications of AI on creativity, and evaluation addresses the ethical concerns and how AI challenges traditional creativity definitions. The study also aims to investigate the impact of AI on artistic integrity and its implications for future photography contests, while identifying ways to distinguish AI-generated works from original photography as a guide for judging in competitions. This study offers insights for photographers, judges, and artists on navigating AI's influence and redefining creativity in the digital era.