As the AI World Turns —
Generative AI Backlash Hits Annual Writing Event, Prompting Resignations
NaNoWriMo Refuses to Condemn AI as Accessibility Tool, Faces Criticism from Writers.
By Benj Edwards – September 4, 2024
Over the weekend, the nonprofit National Novel Writing Month organization (NaNoWriMo) published an FAQ outlining its position on AI, calling the outright rejection of AI writing technology “classist” and “ableist.” This statement triggered significant backlash online, leading to the resignation of four board members and prompting a sponsor to withdraw support.
NaNoWriMo, famous for its annual challenge where participants write a 50,000-word manuscript in November, argued that condemning AI would overlook issues of class and ability. The organization suggested that the technology could assist those who may otherwise need to hire human writing assistants or have different cognitive abilities.
Writers React
After news of the FAQ spread, many writers on social media expressed their discontent with NaNoWriMo’s stance. Generative AI models are often trained on vast amounts of existing text, including copyrighted works, without proper attribution or compensation to the original authors. Critics argue this raises serious ethical concerns regarding the use of such tools in creative writing competitions.
“Generative AI empowers not the artist, not the writer, but the tech industry. It steals content to remake content,” stated Chuck Wendig, author of Star Wars: Aftermath, in a post about NaNoWriMo on his blog.
Daniel José Older, a lead story architect for Star Wars: The High Republic and one of the resigning board members, publicly stepped down, stating, “Hello @NaNoWriMo, this is me DJO officially stepping down from your Writers Board and urging every writer I know to do the same.”
NaNoWriMo’s choice of words like “classist” and “ableist” to justify the potential use of generative AI struck a nerve with many opponents of the technology, some of whom are disabled themselves. One X user expressed their frustration, saying, “Other people’s work is NOT accessibility.”
This isn’t NaNoWriMo’s first encounter with controversy. Last year, the organization announced it would accept AI-assisted submissions but emphasized that using AI for an entire novel would defeat the challenge’s purpose.
NaNoWriMo Doubles Down
In response to the backlash, NaNoWriMo updated its FAQ to address concerns regarding AI’s impact on the writing industry and to mention “bad actors in the AI space who are doing harm to writers.”
“We recognize that although we find the categorical condemnation of AI problematic, we are troubled by situational abuse of AI that clearly conflicts with our values,” they stated. The organization acknowledged the complexity of AI technology and emphasized its commitment to maintaining an inclusive stance.
In recent years, NaNoWriMo has received messages from disabled individuals who use generative AI tools, and has conducted interviews with artists who rely on these technologies for creativity. Ultimately, the organization articulated that it respects writers who believe that AI tools can be beneficial.
“We absolutely do not condemn AI,” NaNoWriMo declared in their FAQ, “and we respect writers who believe these tools are right for them. We acknowledge the diversity of opinions within our community and the autonomy it provides.”
