In spring 2022, Google recruited 13 authors, including award-winning science-fiction writers, to test an experimental AI writing tool called Wordcraft, powered by La MDA (later Gemini). The study aimed to see if AI could serve as a brainstorming assistant or collaborator. Participants signed NDAs and wrote short stories using the tool over eight weeks.\n\nIn August 2024, author Lily Lachance posted about the study on Bluesky, calling participants "clowns" and sparking a backlash.

Many users threatened to boycott the authors, dubbing them "The Shameful 13." Critics argued the authors legitimized AI trained on copyrighted material without permission.\n\nSeveral participants issued statements. Eugenia Triantafyllou said she thought Wordcraft was like older non-AI tools and didn't realize it was trained on copyrighted work. Lincoln Michel noted that in 2022, public awareness of LLMs was low. The study's white paper itself revealed participants had concerns about the origin of AI suggestions.\n\nThe controversy highlights the shift in public sentiment around generative AI, especially in creative fields. Some defended the authors, saying they could not have foreseen the technology's implications, while others remain critical of their participation.