National Novel Writing Month faces controversy over AI issues
If NaNoWriMoan organized novel-writing challenge, is gearing up to celebrate its 25th anniversary in November. The addition of a new AI sponsor and tools has stirred controversy for the nonprofit that organizes the event.
NaNoWriMo, originally an acronym for National Novel Writing Month, launched in 1999 to encourage everyone to write a 50,000-word novel in November. The quest is now global, with participants charting their progress on the official website and earning virtual badges for reaching milestones, some as simple as starting a project.
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As generative AI tools have proliferated, there has been ongoing debate over whether artificial intelligence should be used in creative projects like books, movies, and music. In October, authors of 183,000 books found out that their titles had been used to train artificial intelligence systems without their knowledge. There are also differing opinions on whether AI-enabled efforts should be eligible for traditional achievement awards like the Grammys.
New challenge is okay for writers using AI
The controversy appears to have started on September 2, with a message from the group which stated: “NaNoWriMo does not endorse or condemn any specific approach to writing, including the use of AI.”
The group went on to acknowledge that some writers “vehemently oppose AI,” but added: “We believe that to categorically condemn AI is to ignore issues of class and discrimination surrounding the use of the technology, and that questions about the use of AI are tied to questions of privilege.
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AI Sponsorship Revealed
ProWritingAid’s sponsorship was revealed in a resignation letter titled NaNeeHelNee posted by Daniel José Older, who was a member of the NaNoWriMo Writers Board.
“Your stance on AI is despicable, cowardly, and unreasonable,” he wrote in the letter. “You are hurting writers and you are hurting the planet.”
The sponsor was not aware of the statement before it was issued, a representative said.
“ProWritingAid has supported NaNoWriMo for years, and we had no idea they would make this statement,” founder and CEO Chris Banks told CNET. “We fundamentally disagree with the sentiment that criticism of AI tools is inherently ableist or classist. We believe writers’ concerns about the role of AI are valid and deserve thoughtful consideration. Writers are the reason ProWritingAid exists, and we are committed to supporting human creativity, not undermining it.”
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A spokesperson for NaNoWriMo did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Since the controversy began to spread, the group has updated its online statement. The newer version addresses criticism of AI, calling out “bad actors in the AI space who are harming writers and acting unethically.”
The group went on to say that it still finds the “categorical condemnation” of AI problematic, but that it has “concerns about situational misuse of AI and that certain situational misuses are clearly inconsistent with our values.”
In addition to the November contest, NaNoWriMo hosts a year-round Young Writers Program for students and teachers. The site offers writing resources and tools, and a community component allows users to follow and support other writers.
Most people who start writing for NaNoWriMo don’t finish their novel in a month, but many embrace the challenge. In 2015, then-CNET editor Eric Mack crowdsourced advice on writing a science fiction novel for NaNoWriMo. The 2006 Sara Gruen bestseller Water for Elephants, which became a film and a Broadway musical, began life as a NaNoWriMo book.
