In response to growing concerns over artificial intelligence in publishing, a British startup named Books by People has launched a certification program designed to identify literature created exclusively by humans. The initiative received formal approval from the UK Intellectual Property Office on Wednesday, allowing publishers to display a distinctive thumbprint-shaped mark on the covers of qualifying titles.
The move comes as the literary world grapples with several high-profile controversies involving AI-generated content. Recent incidents include the cancellation of a reported $2 million book deal, the withdrawal of a novel from shelves, and reader allegations that a prize-winning short story was produced by machine. These events have heightened demand for transparency regarding the origins of published works.
Esme Dennys, co-founder of Books by People, emphasized that the goal is simply to provide readers with a clear choice. “If people are going to be writing AI books or seeking it out for their own enjoyment, that’s their prerogative,” Dennys told WIRED. “But if you want to read something that’s written by a person, you should be able to find that.”
Unlike previous labeling schemes that relied on an honor system—where authors simply declared they had not used AI—Books by People employs a more rigorous vetting process. The organization requires authors to sign a declaration of authorship, runs manuscripts through proprietary software, and conducts manual reviews of early drafts and research materials. According to Dennys, the review looks for “indicators of humanity” and assesses whether the work resulted from a natural drafting and redrafting process.
The startup operates on a membership model, charging publishers a flat fee plus an additional amount for each book submitted for certification. Five publishers have already signed up, and the first certified books are expected to appear by the end of the year.
Industry experts suggest that while AI tools are becoming more prevalent, most readers will ultimately prefer human-authored content. Sci-fi author Ted Chiang, whose novella Story of Your Life was adapted into the film Arrival, noted that knowing the origin of a work fundamentally changes the reader’s experience. He compared AI-generated literature to items falling off a conveyor belt, stating that the knowledge of how something was created prevents readers from becoming emotionally invested in the final product.
I still buy paperbacks for the experience, not the source. Let me read in peace.
Wait, the IP Office approved this? That seems like a massive overreach for a private startup.
I worry this is just another gatekeeping move. Who decides what ‘indicators of humanity’ actually are?
Finally, some accountability in publishing. That thumbprint logo is a brilliant touch.