A Science Fiction Publication Halts Submissions Due To An Overwhelming Influx of AI-generated Content

Clarkesworld Magazine, a renowned science fiction publication, has suspended all submissions. The magazine’s editor, Neil Clarke, took to his blog to reveal the reason for this decision. He cited a surge in the number of AI-generated short stories being submitted, leading to unprecedented rejections and bans.

In a blog post, Clarke noted that he observed unmistakable patterns in the AI-generated submissions, which he found were consistent across various publications. Self-proclaimed “side hustle experts are fueling the proliferation of these spam submissions.” These individuals advertise the potential for effortless profits through AI chatbots like ChatGPT. They have now exploited unrestricted access to the chatbot to produce numerous e-books attributing authorship to ChatGPT or mentioning it as a co-author.

A Concern for Editors

Due to the surge of AI submissions, editors struggle to distinguish between AI-generated and human-written stories. To address this issue, some propose limiting editor contacts and implementing geo-blocking in regions with high AI chatbot use. However, these solutions could restrict access for aspiring writers in low-income countries who rely on free submissions to gain exposure. This could adversely affect the sustainability of short fiction and the accessibility of the publishing industry.

The proliferation of AI chatbots has posed a challenge for editors. The surge of AI-generated submissions complicates the identification of genuine authors. It has a detrimental impact on potential writers, particularly those in low-income nations who depend on open submissions. Although AI detectors such as OpenAI’s AI classifiers exist, they are only partially dependable. Finding a resolution that suits all stakeholders is still being determined, and it will require experimentation and adaptation.

Possible solutions?

According to a tweet by the magazine, there is yet to be a definitive solution for the issue of AI-generated submissions. While some ideas for minimizing it exist, none are foolproof. Detectors are only sometimes dependable, and pay-to-submit options may discourage genuine authors. Print submissions are also not feasible.

Clarke informed Motherboard that they aim to reopen submissions in about a month, but anticipate the need to close them again. He acknowledged that it will be a trial-and-error process to develop a viable solution that doesn’t exclude legitimate writers from participating.

Featured image from PCmag.com