Pakistani Student Shines in Global AI Competition

ISLAMABAD: Saleeta Qadir, an exceptional Artificial Intelligence student at the University of Erlangen in Germany, has earned international recognition by securing a spot among the top 10 finalists in the globally renowned Best Illusion of the Year competition. Her entry, titled “Static Spin,” is a mesmerizing optical illusion that gives the impression of motion in an entirely stationary image, captivating both scientists and general audiences alike.

The annual contest, hosted by the Neural Correlate Society, is now in its 20th year and is known for honoring the most innovative creations in visual perception. It challenges artists, researchers, and students from around the world to develop illusions that explore how the brain processes visual information.

Saleeta’s creation portrays a ballerina whose silhouette switches continuously between black and white. Although the figure itself does not move, the shifting tones trick the brain into perceiving continuous rotation. Developed as part of her Master’s project in AI, the illusion merges computer graphics, mathematical precision, and visual storytelling.

“Saleeta’s project stands at the intersection of technology and art. It’s a remarkable example of how artificial intelligence can enhance creative expression,” said Professor Bernhard Egger, her academic advisor. “The effect is so powerful that almost every viewer perceives movement where there is none.”

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Inspired by a flat 2D illusion from the 1990s, Saleeta enhanced the concept by transforming it into a dynamic 3D visualization. Staying true to the principles of open science, she also published the source code, allowing others to replicate the illusion with their visuals.

Her entry is competing with strong submissions from countries like Japan, China, the USA, the UK, Serbia, and the Czech Republic. Representing not only her university but also showcasing Pakistan’s growing footprint in artificial intelligence and visual computing, Saleeta stands as a promising contender for a top-three finish. Public voting for the winners is currently open on the competition’s official website.