The Haitian-Canadian author Thélyson Orélien's novel "It Was Either That Or Die" was pulled from a prestigious French literary prize shortlist after A.I. detection programs assessed it as likely written with artificial intelligence. Orélien denies using A.I., and his French publisher, Grasset, says he began writing in 2017, finishing a draft in 2019, before generative A.I. programs were commercially available.

The controversy has sparked intense debates in France's publishing industry. The Goncourt Academy said the novel was, "in all likelihood, largely the product of artificial intelligence," adding that the decision was meant to send "a clear message" that it does not endorse texts generated by A.I. Orélien defended his style, stating that treating his techniques as evidence of A.I. "has nothing to do with literary criticism."

The accusations originated from an anonymous social media account, later revealed to be partly run by a columnist at Le Figaro. The Quebec publisher Les Éditions du Boréal said it could not confirm or deny the allegations and has suspended promotional activities while helping Orélien compile early drafts.