Tabletop’s most prestigious painting competition bans AI from future events

As first reported by War gamethe lines GW, which governs the prestigious Golden Demon miniature painting competition, now has a few new rules. “May I use artificial intelligence to generate part of my entry?” reads part of the FAQ section of the revised document. GW’s answer? “No.”

Pretty simple, if you ask me. But that wasn’t the case earlier this year, when two-time Slayer Sword winner Neil Hollis submitted an immaculate Aeldari Exodite mounted on a dinosaur to the Golden Demons at AdeptiCon. The model, which won gold in the single miniatures category, featured a lot of intricate work, including a clear resin cast on the base and sinewy vines that perfectly framed the composition. But it was later revealed that the background, a vibrant scene of a sun-drenched jungle valley, was created using a large language model AI. That confession – as well as Hollis’ moody flaunting of the hosts of The painting phase on YouTube — was not well received by many in the community and seemed to open a Pandora’s box for future events.

GW’s solution wasn’t to cry and complain, or to rescind the award it had given, or even to make a statement about the situation. It simply said “No” to the use of AI in the future. Done, and on with the show.