Prix Goncourt Winner Reveals Use of AI in Novel Writing

Speaking on France Inter radio, Jaenada stated that he had utilized AI three times throughout the writing process. He mentioned incorporating a sentence crafted by ChatGPT to engage with readers and shared that he revealed its identity only to the Goncourt jury on the award day. He humorously noted this was done to playfully challenge the readers. Additionally, he used AI-generated text to satirize ChatGPT’s responses to a technical detail and for research purposes.

The 62-year-old emphasized the inevitability of AI's presence in literature, stressing the need to acknowledge its existence and to harness it effectively. “I don’t think AI can be held back,” Jaenada said. “You have to use it – but first you have to acknowledge it, and above all you have to tame it.”

Jaenada’s comments come in the wake of significant scrutiny within the literary community regarding AI, particularly after the Académie Goncourt removed Thélyson Orélien’s book *C’était ça ou Mourir* (It Was That or Die) from its longlist due to alleged AI involvement. Orélien’s debut had initially garnered considerable success, selling over 35,000 copies and winning the Prix du roman Fnac, but was later criticized after an analysis by journalist Samuel Fitoussi indicated substantial AI-generated content. Although the accuracy of AI detection tools has been disputed, the academy declared on September 25 that independent analyses suggested the novel was predominantly an AI creation.

Orélien responded to the allegations by labeling them as “slander and heresy,” asserting that “not a single sentence in this book was created by a machine” while admitting to previous instances of plagiarism. Following this, his publisher, Boréal, revealed further evidence of AI involvement, effectively ending their partnership with him.

Prior to receiving the award, Jaenada had defended his use of AI, questioning if a film director would conceal their use of special effects. However, he stated that AI would never replicate the human essence necessary for authentic storytelling.

Jaenada’s win was achieved in the first round of voting, defeating Sylvain Prudhomme’s *De l’autre côté du lac* by six votes to three. Known for revisiting historical crimes, his winning novel delves into the unsolved 1949 murder of Louise Cansot, a model who was prominent in Montparnasse.

Although the Prix Goncourt carries a symbolic €10 cheque, it remains one of France's most prestigious literary accolades. The Académie Goncourt, led by novelist Philippe Claudel, has yet to comment further on these developments.