France's Prix Goncourt, one of the country's most prestigious literary prizes, has removed a novel from its shortlist after its author was accused of using artificial intelligence to write it, according to CNN, The New York Times, The Guardian, Global News, the Financial Times, France 24 and The Epoch Times.
The novel, "It Was Either That Or Die," was written by Thélyson Orélien, described by outlets as a Haitian-Canadian or Quebec author, and had been considered a standout of the French literary season, according to The New York Times.
Several outlets, including Global News and The Epoch Times, reported that the accusations against Orélien included plagiarism claims in addition to allegations of AI use, though not all sources specified this detail.
The New York Times reported that scrutiny of the novel began after someone ran an AI test on the text, though further detail on how the testing was conducted was not provided across sources.
How each side covered it
Left
- CNN and The Guardian reported the novel was dropped from the Goncourt shortlist over AI use accusations.
- The New York Times detailed that an AI test on the text led to scrutiny of the novel.
- The New York Times described the book as the hit of the French literary season before its removal.
“His Novel Had a Shot at a Top Book Prize. Then Someone Ran an A.I. Test.” — The New York Times
Center
- Global News and France 24 identified the author's Haitian-Canadian or Quebec background.
- Global News reported both AI and plagiarism allegations against the author.
- The Financial Times and France 24 confirmed the novel's removal from the prize list over AI concerns.
“Quebec author dropped from Goncourt amid AI, plagiarism allegations” — Global News
Right
- The Epoch Times reported the novel was dropped over both AI and plagiarism claims.
“France's Top Literary Prize Drops Novel Over AI and Plagiarism Claims” — The Epoch Times
Questions readers ask
What happened to Thélyson Orélien's novel?
The Prix Goncourt, a top French literary prize, removed Thélyson Orélien's novel "It Was Either That Or Die" from its shortlist after accusations that he used artificial intelligence to write it.
Who is Thélyson Orélien?
Thélyson Orélien is a Haitian-Canadian author, also described as a Quebec author, whose novel had been considered a highlight of the French literary season, according to The New York Times.
Was plagiarism also a factor in the decision?
Global News and The Epoch Times reported that plagiarism allegations were part of the accusations against Orélien, alongside the AI claims, though not all outlets mentioned this.
How was the AI use detected?
The New York Times reported that someone ran an AI test on the novel, prompting scrutiny, though sources did not detail the specific method used.
Sources · 7 outlet reports
- CNNLeft-leaningFrance’s prestigious Goncourt prize drops novel after author accused of using AI
- The GuardianLeft-leaningNovelist accused of using AI to write book removed from French prize list | Prix Goncourt
- The New York TimesLeft-leaningHis Novel Had a Shot at a Top Book Prize. Then Someone Ran an A.I. Test.
- Financial TimesCenterFrance’s Goncourt literary prize pulls novel over AI concerns
- France 24CenterPrix Goncourt drops Canadian-Haitian writer from top French literary prize list over AI claims
- Global NewsCenterQuebec author dropped from Goncourt amid AI, plagiarism allegations
- The Epoch TimesRight-leaningFrance’s Top Literary Prize Drops Novel Over AI and Plagiarism Claims