Publishing world considers “written by humans” label amid rise of AI

Concerns are growing within the publishing industry about the increasing use of artificial intelligence in creating books, leading to a push for a labeling system that distinguishes human-authored works from those generated by AI. This discussion unfolded at the world's largest book industry fair in Frankfurt, where various labeling initiatives were presented, highlighting the challenges posed by AI technology.

One notable case involved Haitian-Canadian author Thelyson Orelien, whose debut novel "It Was Either That or Die" was suspected of being AI-written based on analysis by AI-detection websites. Orelien vehemently denied the allegations, suggesting they may be racially motivated. This incident has caused significant shockwaves in the French literary world.

In response, Charlotte Allibert, co-founder of Librinova, a self-publishing company, announced a labeling scheme that assesses books for human authorship using AI detection software and a personal interview with an auditor. The scheme has already certified around 200 works. A similar initiative, Books By People, based in the UK, has secured the registration of a certification mark for human-authored works from the Intellectual Property Office.

To obtain the mark, titles must meet stringent "organic literature" standards, which permit limited AI use for tasks like spelling and grammar checks. Esme Dennys, co-founder of Books By People, emphasized the need for a transparent and reliable framework for both publishers and authors. The United States has also seen the emergence of a "human authored" certification mark, driven by the Authors Guild, which requires authors to sign a license agreement for self-certification, with over 6,500 titles already bearing the mark.

Despite the growing momentum behind these labeling efforts, skepticism remains among some industry insiders. The current schemes permit limited AI use, raising concerns about the potential for interpretation and circumvention. Sebastian Guggolz, head of the German Publishers and Booksellers Association, acknowledged the complexity of the issue, stating that categorizing AI usage could be insufficient without addressing each book individually and the industry's overall transparency.