The Nebula Awards, a prestigious honor within the realm of science fiction and fantasy, have made a bold move by completely barring generative AI and large language model (LLM) contributions from their nominations. This decision reflects a significant stance by the creative community against the burgeoning influence of AI in artistic fields.
On Friday, Kate Risatu, president of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA), reiterated the announcement concerning the review process of works produced using AI tools. Emphasizing the idea of “trust the voters,” the SFWA clarified that any work “wholly written using generative LLM tools” is now ineligible. Moreover, if any nominated piece used LLMs at all during the writing process, this information will be noted on the ballot.
This approach led to significant debate in online forums. Many authors and fans voiced concerns that the SFWA was only partially addressing the issue. To clarify their position, the SFWA quickly released an updated statement indicating that works written “either wholly or partially” with AI technology would not be eligible. Creators who utilized LLMs will now have to disclose this use upon receiving a nomination, ultimately disqualifying them from the awards.
The SFWA recognized that the initial rules “didn’t reflect our current policy” and amended language to better express their strong opposition to using LLM generative models in creative writing. They committed to updating the posted rules in the days to come.
Generative AI and LLMs stir up heated discussions among writers and game developers alike. Earlier this week, the creators of Baldur’s Gate 3, Larian Studios, found themselves in hot water after founder and game director Swen Vincke shared with Bloomberg that they were leveraging generative AI for brainstorming ideas, creating presentations, and drafting placeholder text. The studio assured that AI-generated content wouldn’t make its way into their next game, Divinity. Vincke insisted that everyone at Larian is on board with their approach to using AI, despite initial skepticism.
This sparked backlash from both gamers and fellow developers, particularly those previously associated with Larian. In response, Vincke emphasized that AI tools were meant to complement the creative workflow, not to supplant existing talent. “We are neither releasing a game with any AI components, nor are we looking at trimming down teams to replace them with AI,” he stated.
Following the uproar, Vincke announced that Larian would host a Reddit AMA to clarify their development processes and field questions from fans after the holidays. The date and participants will be disclosed in January, aiming to bridge any communication gaps that might have arisen.
The 2026 Nebula Awards winners will be revealed during the awards conference in Chicago, slated for June 5 to June 7. It will be interesting to see how the decisions around AI influence other award systems and creative practices moving forward.
Why are generative AI and LLMs controversial in creative fields?
Generative AI and LLMs face criticism for their potential to undermine original creative expression. Artists worry that reliance on AI blurs the line between human creativity and machine-generated content, leading to authenticity issues.
What criteria did the SFWA establish to ban AI participation in the Nebula Awards?
The SFWA’s criteria state that any work produced “wholly or partially” with generative AI tools is ineligible for the Nebula Awards. This includes disclosing any AI involvement at the nomination stage, leading to automatic disqualification.
How are game developers using AI, according to industry leaders?
Game developers are using AI mainly as a brainstorming tool to explore creative ideas, improve presentations, and facilitate various aspects of the game design process, but not in the final products.
What does the Nebula Awards’ stance mean for the future of AI in creative industries?
The Nebula Awards’ decision indicates a significant pushback against AI in creative industries, setting a potentially influential precedent for other awards and creative platforms regarding AI-generated works.
Are you passionate about the impact of AI in creative realms? Let’s hear your thoughts on this ever-evolving conversation in the comments below!