The organizers of France’s prestigious Prix Goncourt announced on Friday that they have removed a highly acclaimed novel by Canadian-Haitian writer Thélyson Orélien from the competition’s longlist. The decision follows online accusations that artificial intelligence was utilized in the creation of the work.
In a statement, the Goncourt Academy emphasized that the removal was intended to safeguard the integrity of both the prize and the institution itself, reaffirming its commitment to honoring literature crafted by human authors. The book, titled “It Was Either That or Die,” had been included among more than a dozen titles vying for the award, which will be revealed in November.
Orélien has firmly rejected the allegations. Speaking to the daily newspaper Libération, the 38-year-old debut novelist stated, “I’ve always loved creating and writing, I don’t see why I would use a machine.” He confirmed that he and his publishers are compiling evidence to demonstrate his sole authorship of the text.
The controversy originated from posts on the social media account “Balance ton Claude” (Expose Your Claude). Samuel Fitoussi, an essayist and contributor to the right-wing Figaro daily, revealed that he is part of the collective behind the account. Fitoussi argued that his actions were motivated by a fear that AI could eventually erode the practice of reading and writing after millennia of literary tradition.
Fitoussi warned that as AI technology improves, it will become increasingly capable of producing exceptional works autonomously, leading writers to question the necessity of human effort. He asserted that authors who present AI-generated content as their own betray the moral contract with their readership.
Citing internal findings, the Academy claimed the book is “in all likelihood, very largely the product of artificial intelligence” and also noted allegations of plagiarism. An Academy spokesperson stated the withdrawal was a clear message that they do not endorse texts generated with AI assistance.
Orélien’s publisher, Canada-based Boreal, announced the suspension of promotional activities for the book, which was released in the spring. The publisher cited the need to protect the author’s well-being and stated it was impossible to confirm or refute the claims at this stage, urging the public not to jump to conclusions.
The incident has sparked global debate regarding the role of AI in literature. The Goncourt longlist is scheduled to be narrowed to a shortlist on October 6.
I hope Orélien proves his innocence quickly. It would be a tragedy if a talented debut novelist was ruined by baseless rumors.
Who exactly defines what is ‘human’ enough to win? I worry this sets a dangerous precedent for artistic integrity.
Honestly, I am surprised by the speed of this decision. Literature has always evolved with technology, hasn’t it?
This feels like a premature judgment. The Academy is acting on social media accusations without concrete proof of guilt.