Rule Update: Generative AI

[littlefics]

Hello everyone, thank you to all who have signed up so far! We'd like to share a rule update that will take effect immediately:

Canons and gifts that are wholly or significantly created through generative* AI are prohibited from this event. Such canons cannot be nominated, requested, or offered, and giving such gifts may result in a ban.

We recognize this is an evolving issue, so please feel free to offer feedback or ask questions. Thank you!

*ETA 6/26: By generative AI, we mean tools that create new content. Things like spell-check or translation are not included in our definition of generative AI.

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

I immediately have a question: how is this new rule going to affect ESL participants who use AI-based machine translation tools to translate parts of sentences from their native language and/or do grammar/spelling checks?

[littlefics]

Thank you for the question! For this reason, we specified generative AI, which we conceptualize as generating/creating new content. AI-assisted tools like spellcheck are completely fine.

[doreyg]

Excellent rule update!

[disney_dark]

Can I ask why? AI imaging is a tool people can use. It's not going anywhere and it's not going to replace artists and writers, as long as someone isn't making money from AI I don't see the problem.

[littlefics]

We believe that fanworks, as well as exchange gifts specifically, derive their value from being fans' own creative works. Furthermore, AI-generated art in its current form only exists through the exploitation of many real artists' work without their consent. As such, we believe it is inappropriate for this event.

[(Anonymous)]

(Not a mod)

Monetary value is not the only value to consider. Specifically in a gift exchange, the deal is create a gift, receive a gift. Using an AI tool to skip much of the creation part can be perceived as cheating and tends to affect the quality of the result in a really conspicuous, bad way. It would be a lot like signing up to an art exchange and submitting an image you made with a doll dress-up game... maybe you put a bit of work into it, but that kind of gift is not what people want to receive in exchange for their own 100% manual work.

So, a lot of people don't want to receive an AI-generated gift in a gift exchange and I am one of them. I approve of this rule update.

Finally, I'd like to point out that AI works are not banned on AO3 and nobody is stopping you from uploading them. Whether they're permitted in a given exchange is at the discretion of the mod(s) just like anything else in the rules. People who do not like the rules can simply not participate in the exchange, or start their own exchange that allows or is even focused on generative AI works, if they really want to.

[(Anonymous)]

I wasn't asking to submit an AI gift, but to base a gift off a site that uses AI art. But I understand your points.

(frozen)

[(Anonymous)]

"AI imaging is a tool", no google docs is a tool. CSP is a tool. pen and paper is a tool.

ai image processing is an art generator that steals from actual artists at the click of a button. the fact you do not see an issue with this is painful to witness, and truthfully shows me that ao3 exchanges are likely not for you.


maybe pick up a pencil.

(frozen)

[(Anonymous)]

This is very cruel. I did not know it steals from artists. Perhaps speak to me civilly first before judging me.

[(Anonymous)]

Great!

[(Anonymous)]

thank you so much for this rule update! i personally believe generative ai has no place in fan spaces, especially gift exchanges such as SOD, so it's nice to know receiving an ai generated gift won't be a possibility!

I hate that this has to be a rule, i had hoped that those involved in fandom enough to join exchanges would not need to be told such things. but with genai as prevalent as it is now, a lot of "ai artists/writers" are joining fan events and it's getting harder to tell who actually created their projects, vs who stole them. appreciate your commitment to original fanworks <3 looking forward to this round very much.

[(Anonymous)]

Belatedly: Would a canon such as Murdle — where the daily puzzles are generated through a proprietary algorithm, but the context of each puzzle, as well as the novel material, contain original content written by the creator — be affected by this new rule?

[littlefics]

Hi, we would look at canons on a case by case basis, but Murdle would be unaffected by this rule.