Since its inception in 1999, National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) has inspired countless writers to tackle the challenge of drafting a 50,000-word novel each November. The initiative, which now has a global reach, tracks participants’ progress through an official website, rewarding milestones with virtual badges. However, as artificial intelligence (AI) tools become more prevalent, NaNoWriMo faces backlash over its stance on AI and its recent sponsorship deal.
The debate intensified on September 2, when NaNoWriMo released a statement clarifying its position: “NaNoWriMo does not explicitly support any specific approach to writing, nor does it explicitly condemn any approach, including the use of AI.” The organization acknowledged that while some writers oppose AI, it believes condemning the technology outright would overlook issues of privilege and accessibility.
The controversy further escalated with the revelation of ProWritingAid as a sponsor, leading to sharp criticism from Daniel José Older, a former NaNoWriMo Writers Board member. In his resignation letter, Older condemned the group’s stance on AI, accusing them of harming writers and the environment. ProWritingAid, unaware of the criticism before it was published, expressed disagreement with the sentiment and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting human creativity.
NaNoWriMo has since updated its statement, addressing concerns about unethical AI practices while maintaining that a blanket condemnation of AI remains problematic. The group continues to run its year-round Young Writers Program and offers a range of writing resources and community support.
