Science & Technology · 6 Intermediate · October 1, 2026

AI Images Spark Debate in Science Photography Contest

Photo: Tima Miroshnichenko via Pexels

Vocabulary

prestigious /ˈpres.tɪ.dʒəs/ adjective

widely respected and admired for quality or achievement

The prestigious Nikon competition attracts scientists from around the world.

purportedly /pərˈpɔr.tɪd.li/ adverb

claimed to be true, though not certainly verified

The winning video purportedly shows cilia movement in an airway.

acknowledged /əkˈnɑl.ɪdʒd/ verb

admitted or accepted as true

Xu acknowledged that he used AI in his image processing.

Article

Nikon's Small World In Motion is a prestigious annual competition that showcases photographs and videos captured through powerful microscopes. For the past 15 years, scientists worldwide have submitted their work to demonstrate the invisible structures of life. Recently, the competition faced controversy when other researchers questioned whether the winning entry was created or significantly altered using artificial intelligence technology.

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