Pokémon Bans Players Over AI Art Scandal

The Pokémon Company has disqualified several entries in its 2024 Pokémon Trading Card Game Illustration Contest due to allegations of artificial intelligence (AI) use. The contest, which offers a prize of $5,000 and the opportunity to have the winning art featured on a real card, recently revealed its top 300 entries. However, suspicions arose regarding the authenticity of some submissions, leading to their disqualification. While the company did not explicitly mention AI, it confirmed that entries violating the official rules were removed. Genuine artists who did not initially make the cut will now replace the disqualified entries. The issue highlights the broader controversy around AI in creative fields, where its indistinguishable outputs often undermine genuine artistic efforts.

Some entries in the Pokémon Trading Card Game Illustration Contest were disqualified due to suspicions that they were created using artificial intelligence (AI), which goes against the contest rules.

The Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) debuted in 1996 and has since become a global phenomenon. The game's competitive aspect and collectible nature have captivated millions, leading to various tournaments and illustration contests. AI's role in art has recently surged, stirring debates about authenticity and the ethical use of technology in creative competitions. As AI-generated content becomes more sophisticated, discerning genuine artistry from machine output remains a challenge, prompting organizations to adopt stricter regulations to maintain integrity.