Goncourt Prize Removes Author Over AI Plagiarism Claims

Overview

The Académie Goncourt has withdrawn the novel C’était ça ou mourir (It Was That or Die) by Canadian-Haitian author Thélyson Orélien from its prestigious literary prize longlist. The decision follows a series of allegations that surfaced on social media, claiming the book was written almost entirely with the help of artificial intelligence.

The removal marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate regarding the role of AI in literature and the integrity of major literary awards. While the initial accusations were anonymous, subsequent investigations have linked the claims to a known columnist and raised additional questions about plagiarism.

The AI Allegations

The controversy began on 21 September, the same day Orélien’s novel won the Prix du roman Fnac. An anonymous account on the platform X, known as Balance ton Claude, alleged that the book was generated by AI. The account claimed to have run the text through Pangram, an AI detection software, which reportedly flagged the novel as being “almost entirely” written by artificial intelligence.

"The allegations that the book was written using AI emerged on X... saying it had fed the novel into the AI detection software Pangram and found it to be 'almost entirely' written by artificial intelligence."

However, the reliability of these tools has been heavily questioned. French media outlets conducted their own checks using various AI detection programmes, some of which identified the work as very probably human-authored. Critics argue that AI detection software remains notoriously inaccurate, particularly when applied to diverse linguistic styles and non-native English or French writing patterns.

Identity of the Accuser

Further complicating the narrative, Le Figaro later identified the anonymous accuser as Samuel Fitoussi, a columnist for the newspaper and author of an essay critical of "wokeism" in film and television. Fitoussi defended his actions on his personal X account, stating that while he is "techno-optimistic," he fears AI will lead to the disappearance of reading and writing.

Fitoussi’s involvement shifted the perception of the allegations from a spontaneous community watch to a targeted campaign, raising questions about whether the accusations were motivated by the author’s background rather than purely textual analysis.

Plagiarism Claims and Academy Response

In addition to the AI allegations, new accusations of plagiarism have emerged in French media. Libération reported that Orélien may have plagiarized an award-winning short story from the preface of Louis Pauwels’ 1960 book, The Morning of the Magicians.

On Friday, the Académie Goncourt announced its decision to remove the novel from the list. In a statement, the organization cited both the plagiarism allegations and the "convergent result" of analyses by researchers and journalists.

"The decision... was driven by the desire to preserve the integrity of the Goncourt prize and the academy itself... We neither endorse nor condone in any way the creation of texts generated with the help of AI."

Philippe Claudel, the president of the Académie, had initially urged caution regarding the AI claims. However, the combination of the plagiarism allegations and the detection software results appears to have prompted a change in stance, leading to the book's exclusion.

Author’s Defense and Publisher’s Stance

Thélyson Orélien, 38, has firmly denied the allegations, characterizing them as racially motivated attacks intended to silence his voice. He told Libération that his use of traditional language and rhythms is distinctly Haitian and Caribbean, asserting that the imagery and repetition in his work are his own.

"I’ve always loved creating and writing. I don’t see why I would use a machine."

At the Les Correspondances literature festival in Manosque, Orélien expressed his frustration, stating that the goal of his critics seemed to be not just attacking the book, but specifically targeting his identity and silencing him. He announced that he would step back from the public eye until the situation calmed down.

Orélien’s original publisher, Le Éditions du Boréal, released a statement expressing concern but emphasizing the need for restraint. The Canada-based publisher noted that they could not confirm or deny the allegations at this stage, adding that without credible, concrete evidence, it is inappropriate to judge whether the book has a right to exist.

"We unequivocally condemn the hateful messages and personal attacks of recent days, and we urge everyone to show restraint."

Literary Context and Future Implications

C’était ça ou mourir is a lyrical, first-person narrative about a history and geography teacher who flees gang violence in Haiti and travels through twelve countries before finding refuge in Canada. Published by Grasset in August, the book has sold approximately 35,000 copies in France and secured translation rights in over 20 countries.

The incident highlights the growing tensions within the literary world as AI technology advances. The Goncourt Prize, France’s most prestigious literary honor, now faces scrutiny over how it defines authorship and literary merit in the digital age.

The Académie Goncourt is scheduled to publish its shortlist on 6 October, with the winner to be announced on 4 November. The removal of Orélien’s novel leaves a significant gap in the competition and serves as a stark reminder of the challenges writers and institutions face in an era where the boundaries between human and machine creativity are increasingly blurred.