He also observed that there is more discussion and controversy about AI in photography. In contrast, in contemporary art, where the concept takes precedence over the finished artwork, there is far less controversy about artists using AI. "AI is not only a new phenomenon of scientific and technological development but also a tool that can be used for artistic thinking and cultural criticism," he told the website in a recent interview.

With a focus on discovering artists whose works are "forward-looking" when selecting finalists for the award, Dong advocated that taking photos is only the start of communicating a concept. "Photography should actively respond to today's rapidly changing technological and cultural environment, constantly renew itself, and adapt to the era."