The Thélyson Orélien Affair: Benjamin Hoffmann’s Op-Ed in Le Monde

Le Monde today publishes my op-ed on the Thélyson Orélien affair, a case that sets a major precedent for thinking about the relationship between artificial intelligence and literary creation. In it, I offer the beginnings of a reflection on AI’s impact on the creation and reception of literary works.

I submitted this text on Thursday, September 24, before the plagiarism accusations came to light and before Thélyson Orélien’s book was withdrawn from the Académie Goncourt’s first list. I was able to touch briefly on these new developments during a final read-through of the article, but they are not at the heart of my argument. Plagiarism falls under intellectual property law and cannot be defended. What matters to me here is reflecting on what it means to write in the age of artificial intelligence, as an era of widespread suspicion threatens to degenerate into an age of surveillance.

I hope this publication will open a constructive debate. I will do my best to respond to the comments it may prompt, but I will not reply to those that show disrespect toward the people involved in this affair, beginning with Thélyson Orélien. The views expressed in this op-ed are mine alone.

Benjamin Hoffmann, director of French Press

👉 Read the op-ed on lemonde.fr (in French)