According to a BBC report on November 20, a new study from the University of Cambridge reveals that novelists overwhelmingly fear that generative AI will take their jobs. Roughly half of the surveyed authors stated outright that AI may eventually “completely replace” human fiction writing.
Dr Clementine Collett from Cambridge’s Minderoo Centre for Technology and Democracy (MCTD) surveyed 332 authors. She said: “Generative AI trained on vast amounts of fictional text is devaluing writing and competing directly with human novelists for readers.”
The report found that 97% of novelists have an “extremely negative” view of the idea of AI writing entire novels. Around 40% of respondents reported that the part-time income that sustains their writing has already been affected by AI.
Dr Collett noted that many novelists are uncertain whether readers will continue to want complex, long-form works in the future.
At the same time, numerous authors have discovered fake books published under their names on the market; approximately 60% of participants reported that their works have been used to train large language models without their permission or compensation.
Dr Collett emphasised that copyright systems must be continually reviewed and, when necessary, reformed to protect creators better. Using authors’ works requires consent and payment—“that is the most basic fairness.”
According to the report, four-fifths of respondents acknowledge that AI does bring benefits to society. Still, they demand that their work be used fairly and call for necessary government support.
MCTD Executive Director Professor Gina Neff stated: “We cannot drive the AI race by sacrificing the creative industries; the creative sector is a national treasure that must be defended.”
A spokesperson for the UK’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology said: “We have always emphasised the need to work with both the creative industries and the AI sector to promote AI innovation while ensuring robust protection for creators.”
The above content is compiled by ModeZone, a fashion and entertainment magazine.
