AI Ethics in Focus: Pokemon Trading Card Art Contest Controversy

The 2024 Pokémon TCG art contest sparks AI controversy as The Pokémon Company disqualifies numerous entries suspected of being AI-generated. The annual Illustration Contest offers artists the chance to see their artwork featured on an official Pokémon card and win cash prizes.

Pokémon TCG, a beloved card game with a near three-decade history, launched its first official Illustration Contest in 2021 to engage its global community. The 2022 contest concluded with an Arcanine illustration winning and gracing an online exhibition. This year's "Magical Pokémon Moments" theme attracted submissions until January 31st. On June 14th, the top 300 quarter-finalists were announced, sparking accusations of widespread AI generation or enhancement among several entries.

Subsequently, Pokémon TCG disqualified multiple entries from the 2024 finalists' list, citing a violation of contest rules in an official social media statement. The company confirmed that other artists would replace those disqualified, bolstering the top 300 count. While the statement avoided explicitly mentioning AI, the action followed significant fan outcry regarding the apparent prevalence of AI-generated art among the quarter-finalists. The controversy highlights the tension between AI art and traditional artistic merit in high-profile competitions.

Pokémon TCG Disqualifies AI-Suspected Entries

The disqualification decision has earned praise from many fans and artists within the Pokémon community, where fan art is a significant aspect of the franchise's culture. Artists regularly invest considerable time and creativity into their work, expressing their passion for Pokémon in diverse styles.

The oversight in identifying the allegedly AI-generated pieces during the initial selection of the top 300 remains unclear. However, the subsequent action provides reassurance to the community. The contest boasts substantial cash prizes for the winners, including a $5,000 reward for first place and the printing of the top three illustrations on promotional cards.

This incident contrasts with Pokémon's past use of AI in a Scarlet and Violet tournament for live match analysis. However, the use of generative AI in an art contest has been widely viewed as undermining the efforts of human artists.

The Pokémon TCG community is incredibly active, with rare cards commanding millions of dollars and dedicated fans actively collecting. Meanwhile, a new mobile Pokémon TCG app is in development, promising a fresh digital experience for fans.