Over 70 authors, including prominent names like Lauren Groff and R.F. Kuang, have signed an open letter urging publishers to limit their use of artificial intelligence. The letter specifically asks publishers to pledge that they will not release books created by AI, replace human staff with AI tools, or allow AI to degrade existing roles.
The authors express concern that AI-generated content lacks the understanding of human experience necessary for creating meaningful art. They also highlight the potential for AI to exploit authors' work without consent or compensation, as AI models are often trained on copyrighted material. The letter calls on publishers to protect authors' intellectual property and ensure fair compensation for their work.
The open letter addresses major publishers, including Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, Hachette Book Group, and Macmillan. It remains to be seen how these publishers will respond to the authors' demands, but the letter underscores the growing tensions surrounding AI's role in the publishing industry.
