• The Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) illustration contest disqualified several finalists, alleging that the submitted images were created using artificial intelligence (AI) tools. The organizers stated that the use of AI-generated artwork was against the contest rules, which required the entries to be original and hand-drawn.

• The disqualified finalists expressed their disappointment, arguing that the use of AI tools should not be considered a disqualifying factor, as they still put in significant effort to create the final illustrations. They highlighted the potential of AI to enhance and assist artists in their creative process, rather than completely replacing human creativity.

• The incident has sparked a wider discussion about the role of AI in the art and design industry, with some questioning the fairness of excluding AI-assisted work from creative contests. Experts suggest that as AI technology continues to evolve, the boundaries between human-created and AI-generated art will become increasingly blurred, requiring a reevaluation of contest rules and judging criteria.