AI and contests
I might be turning into a grumpy old man, but I don’t think purely AI-generated models should be allowed in contests. Would you agree or disagree?
Before you shoot me down — I’m not saying people shouldn’t upload AI-generated models at all. That’s fine. But when it comes to contests where people are voting mostly based on a clickbait thumbnail (without printing the file or even viewing it in a 3D viewer), I don’t think those models belong. These contests are supposed to be about objects you make — you being the key word. With AI models, the uploader isn’t really making the object or even refining it into something printable.
Take for example this so-called “Dragon Pencil Holder” that was tagged as AI-generated and submitted to the current contest. It’s been downloaded 90 times, yet the file is broken and unprintable. The uploader even claimed in the comments that they made it in FreeCAD and Blender, which is misleading at best. (See Photos Below)
Now, if someone uses AI as a starting point and then puts in the work to refine the model into a clean, printable object, I have no problem with that. But straight AI outputs, slapped into contests to chase votes with flashy thumbnails? That really shouldn’t fly. What do you think?
RE: AI and contests
My suggested refinement is that any submission must include a photo of the printed result. At the risk of getting repetitive, that should be a condition for collecting Prusameters too.
Now please forgive me, I'm off to chase some youngsters off my lawn 😀
RE: AI and contests
I agree, photo of a printed model in the thumbnail should be as minimum.
Another interesting addition would be, if votes of people who posted actual make of the object had higher weight. Possibly both up vote and down vote, later being exclusive for voters with make. I feel like it would need a curation, but there probably won't be that many makes.
RE: AI and contests
I agree with a rule being that a photo of a physical print should be a minimum requirement for contests.
Interesting note, the linked Printables model now comes up with a MK404 error. Seems like this specific model was taken down (but I have no indication if it was taken down by Prusa or the model's author/poster).
See my (limited) designs on:
Printables - https://www.printables.com/@Sembazuru
Thingiverse - https://www.thingiverse.com/Sembazuru/designs