The impact of GenAI on the writing and publishing of the novel

About the Fellowship

This fellowship aims to develop policy recommendations surrounding generative AI and its impact on novel writing and publishing. Key issues such as IP, competition, and remuneration will be explored through participatory and co-design methods, collaborating with novelists, publishers, writers societies, policymakers, and tech companies.

This is a collaboration between the Minderoo Centre for Technology and Democracy at the University of Cambridge and the Institute for the Future of Work. The project centres on protecting and enhancing the human-centred aspects of creative writing.

Research Methods

Arts and humanities methods will engage stakeholders including novelists, publishers, tech companies, writers societies, and policymakers. Activities include:

• Focus groups
• Interviews
• Case studies
• A one-day collaborative forum with ~30 stakeholders to co-design policy and design solutions, exchange knowledge, and ensure long-lasting buy-in and a legacy network

Research Focus

The research investigates potential labour impacts, harms, and benefits of GenAI, including:

• Work displacement
• Losses and enhancements to imagination
• Protections for those whose creative practice could be altered by GenAI through foundation models such as LLMs (e.g., GPT and Llama)

These findings will be relevant to a range of creative writing forms.

Deliverables

A 50-100 page report will contain:

• A framework for co-designing responsible AI policy
• Recommendations on industry practice
• Guidance for authors and publishers
• Briefings for policymakers

The report will be circulated to all stakeholders, both online and in print, and launched with a roundtable in Cambridge and an online webinar. The project fulfills three main objectives:

• Produce a framework for co-design of policy and technology integrating perspectives of multiple stakeholders
• Guide industry practice surrounding technological design and implementation through clarification of labour issues in GenAI models and applications
• Inform policy and law concerning the emerging technology of GenAI and its impact on the novel

About the Lead Researcher

Dr. Clementine Collett is uniquely positioned to study this topic. Her doctorate at Oxford University (2020-2024) explores the responsible design, policy, and governance surrounding AI recruitment technology. During this, she worked on two major collaborative projects with non-academic stakeholders:

• Identifying implementation gaps surrounding responsible AI with the Women’s Forum for Economy and Society
• Lead authoring the report The Effects of AI on the Working Lives of Women with UNESCO, OECD, and IADB

Clementine is also a novelist (pen name: Clementine Taylor), providing her with distinctive insight into industry norms and practices.