France's prestigious Goncourt prize drops novel after author accused of using AI
The academy said several analyses pointed to AI use, while later reporting raised plagiarism concerns over earlier writings.
- On Friday, the Paris-based Académie Goncourt removed the novel "C'etait Ca ou Mourir" by Haitian-Canadian author Thelyson Orelien from its longlist, citing allegations that the book was largely produced with artificial intelligence and plagiarism accusations.
- Allegations surfaced this week after the X account "Balance ton Claude," managed by essayist Samuel Fitoussi, claimed the detection tool Pangram flagged the novel as machine-generated; reports later alleged Orelien committed plagiarism in earlier works.
- Orelien denied using AI, stating he is "in the process of putting together a file" with publishers "to prove" he wrote the book himself, while publisher Boreal suspended promotional activities for the author's well-being.
- The Academy stated the withdrawal aims "to preserve the integrity of the Goncourt Prize" and to oppose the "creation of texts generated with the assistance of AI" before the October 6 shortlist announcement.
- This decision reflects a growing debate within the French literary establishment regarding artificial intelligence's impact on traditional writing, as the controversy raises questions about literary merit and authenticity in the age of AI.
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Anonymously accused of having been written by an artificial intelligence, the novel "C的was that or dying", of the Quebec writer of Haitian origins remains at the head of sales in French-speaking SwitzerlandC的was that or dying caracoles always at the head of sales, more than a week after the novel by Thélyson Orélien was accused of having been written with the help of artificial intelligence. Another case has come since weakening his defense: pla…
Novel withdrawn from running for France's top literary prize after AI claims
France's Académie Goncourt has withdrawn Canadian-Haitian author Thélyson Orélien's novel C'était ça ou mourir (It Was That or Die) from consideration for its top literary prize. The book shows signs of being written by AI, reports The Guardian. A lyrical first-person account of how a history and geography teacher flees a home country mired in gang violence… Published in France by Grasset in August, it has sold about 35,000 copies and won the Pr…
The Independent
The Independent (US)The bestselling novel pulled from prestigious literary prize after AI accusations
Studies have shown that Pangram is highly accurate in detecting AI use, with a successful detection rate of over 95%, and virtually no false positives
Haitian Canadian author Thélyson Orélien dropped from Goncourt amid AI claims over bestselling novel
The Académie Goncourt removed Haitian Canadian writer Thélyson Orélien’s novel from consideration amid AI and plagiarism allegations. Orélien denies allegations that AI was used to write his bestselling debut novel.
Bestselling Novelist Dropped from Major Prize over Suspected AI Use
The Thélyson Orélien controversy raises new questions about whether detection software can be trusted The post Bestselling Novelist Dropped from Major Prize over Suspected AI Use first appeared on The Walrus.
He Was a Candidate for Several Prestigious Literary Awards — Then a Detector Said He Used AI to Write ‘100%’ of His Novel
Thélyson Orélien, 38, faces several accusations that he used AI to write his first novel, C’était ça ou mourir (It Was Either That or Die).
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