Quebec author admits to plagiarism in earlier work, denies AI use

Quebec author Thélyson Orélien has admitted to plagiarizing in his earlier work, though he insists he did not utilize artificial intelligence in writing his celebrated novel. This admission, disclosed through his publisher's statement, marks a significant shift in Orélien's stance regarding his past. The publisher, Éditions du Boréal, has released the statement on behalf of the author, where he apologizes for what he termed as "unacceptable mistakes" from his youth.

This denial of AI involvement in his acclaimed novel, "C’était ça ou mourir," comes after allegations emerged in October that the novel and Orélien's earlier writings may have been generated using AI. In response to these claims, the prestigious French literature prize, the Académie Goncourt, removed the novel from its selection, and Éditions du Boréal suspended promotional activities related to the book.