Investigations triggered by doubts

In the world of literature, the landscape has shifted significantly, with artificial intelligence (AI) playing an increasingly prominent role. Today, the focus is not just on demonstrating one's writing capabilities, but on establishing seriousness and transparency amidst this new reality.

This is particularly true for a new breed of authors emerging on TikTok, often referred to as 'BookTok authors'. Their work is a blend of their unique voice and AI-assisted content, making it difficult to distinguish the human touch from the machine-generated. The use of AI in their writing process is often defensively acknowledged in TikTok videos, with creators claiming they use AI for specific tasks like world-building, research, or improving sentence structure.

The aestheticization of writing on TikTok, with young authors posing in sunlit cafes and presenting handwritten notebooks, is a response to this shift. It's a longing to assert that traditional authorship is still happening, despite the blurring boundaries between planning, writing, and editing due to generative AI. This aestheticization, though partially desperate, is an important signal in the context of AI-assisted texts.

Annekathrin Kohout, an author and cultural scientist based in Leipzig, has been observing this trend. She notes that the narrative of 'pure' writing is being told louder as texts increasingly emerge in a hybrid way. Suspicion has become the default attitude towards texts, and it's hard to dispel.

To combat this, AI detectors are being developed and used in publishing houses and universities. However, there are no reliable criteria for when a text is considered AI-generated, making the task of detection challenging. As a result, books and other texts are coming with disclaimers stating they are "Human Authored".

This hybrid state of responsibility but not full responsibility carries a peculiar weight for authors. Understanding contexts, reflecting on one's own position, and critically reviewing sources have become more important than the craft of writing itself. Writing seriously today involves accepting and navigating the influence of AI on the process.

In conclusion, the rise of AI in writing has brought about a new era, one where the lines between human and machine-generated content are increasingly blurred. As we move forward, it will be essential for authors to navigate this landscape with transparency, honesty, and a critical eye.