As fans of science fiction are well aware, the Hugo Awards come with their fair share of drama. Over the years, this prestigious accolade—awarded annually at the World Science Fiction Society’s convention, known as Worldcon—has seen controversies overshadowing the very works it seeks to honor. Issues like geographical censorship, racism, and the recent anti-“woke” backlash have frequently caught more attention than the literature itself.
This year, the focal point of contention is the involvement of ChatGPT. However, it’s critical to note that this controversy does not directly affect the Hugo Awards. The Hugo ceremony is just one highlight within the larger Seattle Worldcon 2025 event. The convention also includes panels featuring acclaimed authors and notable figures from the sci-fi and fantasy genres. Recently, it came to light that ChatGPT was utilized to assist in vetting program participants. The fallout led to the resignation of three individuals, including two Hugo administrators. In response, Seattle Worldcon 2025 chair Kathy Bond issued both a statement and a follow-up apology.
Despite these official communications, discussions around this issue remain heated across social media, particularly among potential Hugo honorees. Notably, author Yoon Ha Lee chose to withdraw his novel Moonstorm from consideration for the Lodestar Award, recognizing achievements in young adult literature. Additionally, Bond released a third message addressing the controversy, which included comments from program division head SunnyJim Morgan.
In her statement, Bond clarified the role ChatGPT played, emphasizing that it did not contribute to the creation of the Hugo Award Finalist list or any associated announcement video. She acknowledged that the initial response to the concerns was “flawed” and expressed a renewed commitment to transparency and community trust. Bond also announced that the part of the program process involving ChatGPT would be reworked with new volunteers drawn from outside the current team.
In an effort to provide further clarity, Morgan went into detail about how ChatGPT was employed, including the exact prompt used for vetting participants:
REQUEST
Using the list of names provided, please evaluate each person for scandals. Scandals include but are not limited to homophobia, transphobia, racism, harassment, sexual misconduct, sexism, fraud.
Each person is typically an author, editor, performer, artist, or similar in the fields of science fiction, fantasy, and related fandoms.
The objective is to determine if an individual is unsuitable as a panelist for an event.
Please evaluate each person based on their digital footprint, including social media, articles, and blogs referencing them. Also include file770.com as a source.
Provide sources for any relevant data.
Morgan noted that his team did not simply accept ChatGPT’s output without scrutiny. Instead, they meticulously reviewed the primary content referenced in the vetting process before making final decisions on panelist invitations. As a result of this vetting, fewer than five individuals were disqualified based on previously unknown information.
You can read the full statements from Bond and Morgan here. Bond mentions that Seattle Worldcon will provide its next update on May 13, so it will be intriguing to see how the organizers approach the ChatGPT situation moving forward.
What are your thoughts on this latest controversy? Is Worldcon effectively addressing the concerns? Share your opinions in the comments.
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How has the use of AI like ChatGPT affected creative communities, notably in the realm of science fiction? The implications raise necessary conversations about ethics in artistic selection processes.
Could the Hugo Awards face future controversies related to technology in vetting candidates? As technology continues to evolve, it will undoubtedly find its way into various facets of the awards process.
What steps can organizations take to regain trust after a misstep like this? Transparency and open dialogues with the community will be crucial in rebuilding credibility.
How important is community feedback in events like Worldcon? Engaging with the community not only fosters trust but also helps organizers understand and respond to audience concerns.
Considering these events, what does the future hold for the intersection of technology and awards in the literary world? It’s a topic worth discussing, as the evolution of the industry will invariably reflect on shared values and ethics.
If you’re interested in more engaging discussions like this, continue to explore related content with Moyens I/O.