A simple statement, to minimize as much misunderstanding as possible.
First, thank you for joining this conversation. The point of this was to begin a dialogue about AI and assess if it is a threat to writers and if there is a benefit to us. This has been accomplished. There is amazing interaction on my socials from people weighing in on the topic. I didn’t think so many people would care. It makes me happy that we are being engaged. The majority of the response has actually been interested in finding out more. There has been a vocal group that is angry about this. All engagement is a positive step. Thank you for taking a stand on what you believe in.
✔️This is not a call for simple ChatGPT generated work. I’ve reworded the original submissions call for clarity. The intent is to explore the ways AI can help work more effectively as a tool similar to a search engine or a calculator. If AI is a threat to authors, this is an opportunity to assess that threat. Here is the link to the edited-for-clarity submissions call.
✔️Leonard Speiser’s involvement as a guest publisher was not withheld. I delayed announcing Leonard’s association with the project until he had re-confirmed his involvement. I publish information when I’m sure of it. Leonard’s role is as an interested party that seeks to build understanding of AI as a tool. He has also offered to be a financial safety net for this call, since this is an extra sub call out of my budget. He is affiliated with the magazine as an author and columnist for a few years and an unofficial consultant because he is experienced in areas of tech. He can explain how nano tech and other mysteries work so we can write more accurately. We are proud to have published his first short story in issue #139.
✔️Neither the Horror Writer Association nor the upcoming HU panel on AI is affiliated with this call. The timing coincided. I also happen to be moderating a panel on AI tomorrow at the Nebulas. Everyone is talking about AI right now and trying to assess the real danger. Space & Time magazine is a privately owned company and as the owner I have the right to explore new ideas that intersect with the speculative genre. Personally, I consider it my obligation to explore these ideas so I can stay informed of tech that affects my community.
✔️You are free to choose if you want to participate or not. It is your right to choose your level of participation with the magazine, this prompt or myself. You can refuse to publish me as an author in your own publications. You can refuse to purchase my books. I honor and respect your choice. It is your right to not honor and respect my choice. We have that freedom, and that’s worth celebrating.
✔️My intent is and always has been to empower writers and other publishers. This speaks for itself in the many hours I’ve dedicated to individuals in my writing community at the expense of my own work, time and expense. I don’t regret it, in spite of some of the vitriol I have received over the past few days. However you take it, this too is meant to be an empowering event.
For the overwhelming many of you that have expressed you support, thank you. It has meant so much, and I won’t forget your kindness. For those that have been opposed, thank you. You care enough to voice your concerns. It’s important to stay aware.
I won’t respond in the Twitter comments anymore because I physically can’t. There are too many, and I do have a lot of things to keep up on. I’m happy to answer questions in either of the AI panels I’ll be on this weekend, but I won’t take time away from the other panelists to dwell on this. My contact form is here. Just give me some time to respond. I get too many emails on a regular day, but I still welcome them all.