Clarkesworld, a well-known science fiction and fantasy magazine, has temporarily stopped accepting new submissions due to an overwhelming influx of AI-generated stories. According to NPR, the magazine’s publisher and editor-in-chief, Neil Clarke, received 700 legitimate submissions and 500 machine-written ones by February 20.
The increase in AI-generated content was concerning, with Clarke worried that the magazine would receive double its normal submissions by the end of the month. To prevent a flood of low-quality, machine-generated content, Clarkesworld had to take action.
While the magazine has not revealed how they identify AI-generated stories, Clarke mentioned that the writing quality in these submissions was notably poor. Magazines like Clarkesworld, which pay contributors for their work, have become targets for those looking to make quick money. Clarke discussed this issue with other magazine editors facing similar challenges.
The magazine is actively working on solutions to address this problem and is seeking input from the community. Clarke highlights the irony of a science fiction magazine being targeted by robots, emphasizing that the genre often serves as a warning about the responsible use of technology and ethical considerations.
For more information, visit NPR.
