This is not meant to be a criticism of human judges. But judging photo contests, or any event, different judges will award more or less for different criteria. We see this in judged athletic events where there can be a considerable spread of points from multiple judges.

Sometimes I look at photo contest results and I like one of the runner ups better than the winners. Of course I’m not an expert judge and I’m not privy to the criteria the judges used, but I know what I like and I can see inconsistency if it exists.

It is only natural for human preferences and biases and even politics, to creep in when humans are judging contests.

Computers as we know are devoid of emotion, and when given proper programming they are very good at quantifying large amounts of data and comparing it objectively to criteria.

My question:
How long will it be before AI replaces or at least supplements humans in judging photo contests?

Many, many thanks to all who offered advice and direction on my purchase (and later return) of a Canon R10 mirror less camera. I decided to keep using my t5i as I’ve discovered from other users/purchasers that all I would be gaining is increased pixel capacity and virtually nothing in image quality. At this point on my journey, buying high ticket items when you’re 70 isn’t a good idea. I’m at the place where you’re downsizing inventory, not buying more junk.
Again, thanks for the response from this photographic community; you folks are fantastic!

Maybe the OP doesn't want a new career and just wants to fix a few family photos? Say a couple of afternoons, maximum, as opposed to some new-found fetish where you can be locked in front of a screen for hours if not days to learn some program that may never be used again.

Why is it that so many people on here are utterly obsessed with processing photographs? The vast, VAST majority of photos taken are simple family snapshots, simple reminders of a time and a place, and most people are perfectly happy with that. And especially so a few years after the event.

There are a great many people who don't have and more important, don't want to have the technical skills to manipulate photos.

Lighten up.

There was recently a discussion here from a member who had found a D90, 18-70mm Nikkor lens, and some other great stuff at a thrift store. When he tried the D90, the results that he got were surprising, and a discussion ensued around what was "wrong" with the camera and whether it could be fixed. Originally, several of us thought that the problem might lie in the white balance adjustment system, but additional information eventually led us down the trail of the camera being an IR conversion of some kind.

Fast forward to today, which finds the camera in my locker, with the assurance that it is a conversion to an infrared-sensitive camera. While some work remains to determine exactly what the cutoff wavelength is, I now know that the conversion is to infrared-sensitivity only, with no remaining sensitivity to visible light wavelengths (verified by testing with an assortment of colored LEDs, known to have no IR in their output). In addition, it has been verified that the conversion process included removal of the RGB Bayer filter array, so the camera is now monochrome only. The only color component that imparts to images is that which arises from the white balance biasing system, which is still functional in the camera. Camera output is fully monochrome.

I have been working with the camera, learning its characteristics, as well as how to achieve proper exposure and focus. I'm not perfect yet, but I've learned quite a bit, and have gotten some images that at least have some level of interest, even though they really are still mostly technical exercises. Thought some of you might be interested in seeing how it's going, especially the member who is convinced that I've been tricked into buying a broken camera.

Here is a recent image captured after a local snowstorm. If you look carefully, you can see some residual snow on the ground.