‘I think it is important to look at artificial intelligence from different perspectives,’ says Boris Eldagsen
German photographer Boris Eldagsen, who won first prize in the creativity category at the Sony World Photography Awards 2023 with a photo he prepared using artificial intelligence but turned down the award, said discussions of the place of artificial intelligence in the world of photography should be carried out in a multifaceted way.
“I think it is important to look at artificial intelligence from different perspectives. I often realize that discussions about artificial intelligence are more one-dimensional,” he said.
He said artificial intelligence opened up a huge space of freedom for him as an artist, giving him the ability to create images with his imagination.
“It has never been possible to produce something that looks like a photo or moving image within the technical possibilities,” he said. “As a painter or illustrator, I could do this before, but there are so many new tools.”
Saying he is concerned about AI’s potential for disinformation, Eldagsen underlined, “My message is to encourage people to question this issue, to research more, and to see that there are many positives and many negatives in this issue, as in every issue.”
He also said he entered the Sony World Photography Awards competition as he wanted to test the difference between artificial intelligence and photography.
“It was a test. I was looking to see if the photo contests had changed the conditions of entry,” he said, noting that he didn’t give any additional information when he submitted.
On whether artificial intelligence would replace photojournalism, he said: “My answer is yes and no.”
“I don’t believe that photojournalism can be replaced,” Eldagsen added.
