By registering for the ABSURIA contest, participants agree to abide by this code of ethics.

Introduction

This charter expresses the commitment of ABSURIA, the International Festival of Abstract and Surrealist Photography in Tours (non-profit organization), to ethical and responsible photography practices in the age of artificial intelligence. It aims to reconcile creativity and innovation with respect for the fundamental values that are the strength of the human gaze: authenticity, meaning, and emotion. 

AI raises essential questions:

• Authenticity: what is a “photo” when part of it is generated by AI?
• Copyright: who owns the rights to an AI image?
• Artistic value: humans remain at the center—AI is a tool, not a substitute.

Definitions

• Generative AI: a system that produces visual content from existing data. All images created using generative AI are excluded from ABSURIA
•  AI-assisted photography: work resulting from a photographic process in which AI is involved in one or more stages (retouching, colorization, composition, etc.).
•  AI-generated image: image produced without direct photographic capture but from textual instructions, source images, or generative models. These images are excluded from ABSURIA, the International Festival of Abstract and Surrealist Photography in Tours.
• Photographer-author: any person exercising creative control over the process and purpose of the work.

Objectives and scope of the ABSURIA charter

This charter applies to all photographers participating in ABSURIA competitions or the Festival. It defines the ethical principles governing the use of artificial intelligence in the creation, retouching, distribution, and promotion of photographic works. Its purpose is to preserve public trust and ensure transparency in artistic practices.

Fundamental principles

Authenticity: Preserve the integrity of photography in documentary or journalistic contexts. AI must not alter the nature of the facts.
Responsibility: Humans remain at the center of the creative process. Digital tools serve the artistic vision, they are not a substitute for it.
Respect for copyright: Protect copyright, image rights, and privacy. Do not exploit databases or images without explicit consent.
Protection against misinformation: Refrain from any misleading or manipulative creation that could harm others or spread false information.
Education and sharing: Promote understanding of digital tools (cameras, editing software) and encourage open dialogue about their legal, ethical, and aesthetic implications in contemporary photography.

Moral commitment

By adhering to this charter, each member of ABSURIA and photographers participating in competitions and exhibitions organized by ABSURIA commit to making digital tools an ally of creation, in the service of human sensitivity, respect for photographic truth, and artistic freedom.

Published on January 20, 2026 by ABSURIA, the International Festival of Abstract and Surrealist Photography in Tours.