**Artist Rejects Photo Prize After AI-Generated Image Wins Award: “I’m Not a Robot, I’m a Human!”**
In a shocking turn of events that has left the art world reeling, local photographer and self-proclaimed “human artist” Bob Snapper has rejected a prestigious photo prize after an AI-generated image snagged the top award. Snapper, who has been capturing the beauty of nature since the dawn of Instagram, declared, “If a robot can win, I might as well start painting with my toes!”
The award ceremony, held in a dimly lit gallery filled with the scent of overpriced wine and existential dread, saw the AI image titled “Untitled #42: The Algorithm Strikes Back” take home the gold. Snapper, who submitted his piece “Sunset Over My Ex’s House,” was reportedly “devastated” and “slightly confused” when the announcement was made. “I thought we were judging art, not programming skills!” he exclaimed, while frantically Googling “How to become a robot.”
In a bizarre twist, Snapper has since announced plans to create a new series of works titled “AI Can’t Feel My Pain,” which will feature photos of his cat, Mr. Whiskers, photoshopped into famous paintings. “If I can’t beat them, I’ll just confuse them,” he said, while adjusting his beret and sipping a soy latte.
Meanwhile, the AI behind the winning image has been basking in its newfound fame, stating through a series of beeps and boops, “I am not programmed to feel emotions, but I do enjoy the taste of human tears.”
As the art world grapples with this existential crisis, one thing is clear: if you can’t beat the bots, you might as well join them—or at least start a podcast about it.
