Certification for Human-Written Books Launched by Authors Guild

The Authors Guild, one of the leading organizations for writers in the United States, has initiated a new program that allows authors to certify their books as human-written. This certification, called the "Human Authored" mark, ensures that readers can easily distinguish between books created by humans and those generated by artificial intelligence.

The motivation behind this certification is to help authors navigate a market increasingly filled with AI-generated works. The Guild believes that readers deserve to know the source of the content they engage with, whether it is written by a human being or produced by a machine.

To further this goal, the Human Authored certification will be included in a public database that anyone can access. The project was officially announced in October, addressing concerns about the rising number of AI-generated books available on platforms like Amazon and its Kindle ebook store.

Eligibility and Expansion Plans

Currently, the certification is available only to Authors Guild members and applies exclusively to books written by a single author. However, there are plans to expand the certification process in the future to include works by non-member authors and collaborations among multiple authors.

To qualify for the Human Authored mark, a book must be composed predominantly by human authors, though small allowances will be made for the use of AI tools such as grammar and spell-check applications. This approach underscores the Guild's commitment to preserving the authenticity of literary expression.

Emphasizing Human Connection in Storytelling

Mary Rasenberger, CEO of the Authors Guild, explained that the Human Authored initiative is not intended to shun technology. Instead, it aims to foster transparency and cater to a reader’s innate desire for human connection within storytelling. Rasenberger stated, "Authors can still qualify if they use AI as a tool for spell-checking or research, but the certification signifies that the literary expression, alongside the unique human voice, originated from the creativity and intellect of a human author."

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