Lily’s mouth turns down. ‘I guess that’s going to be the way of things now with AI insidiously creeping into every facet of our lives.’ Lily is a graphic designer who specialises in book jackets and book trailers. AI has significantly impacted her job already. It’s a huge concern.
‘Not if we call it out.’
‘But you have no proof, none at all?’ There’s a hopeful inflection in her voice.
‘Well, I put some of the text through an AI detection site and it came back with a 99 per cent positive result.’ I deflate. If this isn’t cause for existential dread, then I don’t know what is. Machines we made taking over our jobs, our livelihoods, even our own imaginations.
‘Right, but those AI detection sites aren’t always accurate.’
‘What?’
‘Well, they’re also machines, so fallible and – at this stage – their accuracy isn’t 100 per cent, especially when it comes to creative writing as opposed to academic papers and the like. I’ve checked into this on the graphic design side too.’
‘Right. Well, there goes that idea.’ Although, it doesn’t mean it’s not AI. It just means I can’t use that tool to definitively prove it.
Traffic sounds from outside filter in as evening peak hour picks up speed. ‘You can be a little overzealous when you’re trying to avenge a wrong, and I don’t see this working out in your favour. Let the writers figure it out. The publishers, even.’
How to convince her this is a battle worth fighting? ‘If it’s true, don’t you see this is a slap in the face for creatives? A slap in the face for readers too. After all, readers are the ones who hand over their hard-earned money for books. Surely they deserve a novel that’s come from the heart, not a computer program. I have this sense of dread at what’s coming for the industry. At Paddington’s, will I be selling books that are written by a robot? If we don’t make a stand now, it’ll be too late.’ There’s no question in my mind that we need to fight this scourge. ‘This is about preserving literature, protecting authors, for readers.’
‘OK, OK, I get it. It just feels like it’s already too late. How can we hold back the tide? If this novel is AI and is topping the eBook charts, how do you fight that? It must still mean that it’s a story worth reading. And in that case, maybe we should all pack up and go home.’ Lily is not usually so defeatist but she’s been hit hard, not only with AI but the progression of design apps that are so user-friendly, her job is becoming obsolete in some ways as people learn to do it themselves.
‘No, Lily. We don’t just give up. Tia’s novel is topping the charts because whoever is behind it has a marketing background and is tech savvy. Why don’t you readBang, Bang!and tell me what you think of it? Trust me, you’ll understand where I’m coming from once you do.’
If we lose real authors to a machine, we lose the very heart and soul of our community. We have to protect the sanctity of books, of imagination and creativity. Books are a literal lifeline and what happens if that’s snatched away? We’ll have mass-produced generic copies of what’s come before as our favourite authors hang up their proverbial pens.
‘I’m keen to see why you’re so adamant about this. What if it’s just one of those Marmite books with those who love it and those who loathe it? It happens all the time when a book has a meteoric rise like this.’
I shake my head. ‘Nope, it’s not that. How about this for an example – the heroine calls the hero her hunky chunky special bang, bang man, after their first hook-up on page two. And he says’ – I grab the book to confirm – ‘“As soon as I laid eyes on her bulbous cantaloupes, my hands soon followed…”’ Laughter gets the better of me. When I eventually compose myself I say, ‘Like – what!’
Lily’s lips twitch. ‘Cantaloupes! Now I am intrigued, Harper! Give me that book.’
We fall about laughing until we’re interrupted by my phone flashing away in the ring light stand.
With a grunt, Lily pulls herself from the sofa and detaches my phone from the stand, passing it to me. It’s vibrating impatiently like it’s got something to say. ‘Oh my God, Lily.’ I swipe through notifications. ‘I didn’t end the live!’
So much for keeping my suspicions to myself.
3
@BookwormfromManchester123: Harper, we can still hear you!
@Claires_bookadventures: Big yikes #RomancelandiaScandalActivated
@Herefortheteaandromancereads: Harper’s spilling the tea and I’m here for it
@Melissa-Webster1989: Wow mean girl energy much? #CancelHarper
@Travel_Wine_Dine: Amateur move not ending the live stream #CancelHarper
@MommyReads2: What about women supporting women? Harper this is disappointing from you #PauseHarper
@JustaBookGrrrl: But… wait. What if Harper’s right? Who is this mystery author really? What if it is a Gen Z tech bro using AI who knows nothing about the romance world and has cheated the system? We need to figure this out, guys.
@DramalamaLOL: Oh come on! Lots of authors write under a pseudonym and Harper hasn’t accused *them* of using AI. This just feels a bit much to me. Shame bc I always liked her book reviews but will be unfollowing. And @CalebFitandFierce what’s your take on this after you spent last month posting about ‘being the change’ when it comes to online bullying? Do you condone it if it’s your GF?
@Scottishbooklass: What if Harper’s right tho?
@Thebigbooklibrary: Bang, Bang! More like Bye, Bye! Harper is a real one #Hatersgonnahate
