Zimbabwe author denies AI use in Caine Prize winning story

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Oct, 21:33 · Archive

Zimbabwean writer Simbarashe Kundizeza has rejected allegations that he used artificial intelligence to write his Caine Prize-winning short story.

Simbarashe Kundizeza's short story 'The Blue Fighter' won the $10,000 Caine Prize for African Writing last week. However, The Atlantic magazine reported that the AI-detection tool Pangram indicated the entire story was AI-generated, with the exception of an excerpt from a poem by another author.

Kundizeza has denied the allegation, posting a statement on X and giving an interview to The Associated Press. He said the story was inspired by his family's experiences and was entirely his own work, having gone through standard editorial processes. He argued that AI-detection technology is biased against African writers seeking to write about their own experiences and cultures.

'There is need to use technology responsibly so that it is not deployed to create a bias against natives who seek to write about their own experiences and cultures,' he said. He added that AI is 'in certain ways biased against us'.

The Caine Prize organisers have not retracted the award but have said it is under review. They stated they aim to examine the AI claims using 'a human-centered approach, ensuring that writers are supported and cared for during the process'.

How it is being reported

• Zimbabwe’s Caine Prize winner rejects claim he used AI to write his storyZimbabwean author Simbarashe Kundizeza denies using AI to write his short story, "The Blue Fighter," which won the $10,000 Caine Prize for African Writing.Clickorlando · 14 Oct, 21:15
• Zimbabwe’s Caine Prize winner rejects claim he used AI to write his storyZimbabwean author Simbarashe Kundizeza denies using AI to write his short story, "The Blue Fighter," which won the $10,000 Caine Prize for African Writing.News4Jax · 14 Oct, 21:15

In this story: Simbarashe Kundizeza · The Atlantic · Caine Prize for African Writing · Zimbabwe

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