Amazon Issues New AI Guidelines for Writers and Publishers
Will Amazon eliminate AI books from its platform?
Everyone is finding it hard to avoid artificial intelligence. Fiction and non-fiction writers are finding it hard to avoid Artificial Intelligence. First, it pops up everywhere, in conversation with our peers, in social media, in the news, and now, on Amazon.
As they say, the fear is real. However, personally, I am thinking of embracing artificial intelligence, though not in the way you think.
Since the news of artificial intelligence (hereafter in this article referred to as AI) blew up at the beginning of the year, Amazon had been mum as to the use of AI in producing works on its platform. Now nine months into 2023, they have issued new guidelines for writers and publishers on their site. It took Amazon a while to do “something” about this. In February 2023 Reuters reported over 200 books were being AI generated on the site. In fact, it could’ve been more than 200 books, Reuters says, “ Due to the nature of ChatGPT and many authors’ failure to disclose they have used it, it is nearly impossible to get a full accounting of how many e-books may be written by AI.”
Amazon’s New Guidelines
Amazon is now requiring you to “inform them of the use of AI-generated content in texts, images or translations when you publish a new book or make edits to and republish an existing book through KDP. AI-generated images include cover and interior images and artwork.” You can find the new guidelines in this link.
You are NOT required to disclose if it is AI-assisted content.
The Difference between AI-generated and AI-assisted Content
AI-GENERATED: This is content such as images, text, or translations created by any AI tool, such as ChapGPT, Google’s Bard, Dall-E 2, or any other openAI or AI tool out there. If you use an AI-based tool to create content, “when you publish a new book or make edits to and republish an existing book through KDP,” it is considered AI-generated, even if you applied substantial edits later.”
AI-ASSISTED: If you create the content yourself and use an AI-based tool to “edit, refine, error-check, or otherwise improve that content (whether text or images), then it is considered “AI-Assisted.” One example I think of in this regard is Grammarly. We use Grammarly to correct our mistakes and spell-check. Likewise, if you use an AI-based tool to brainstorm and generate ideas but then create the text and images yourself, this is also considered AI-assisted. You DO not have TO INFORM Amazon of the use of such tools or processes.
Amazon is now requiring you to “inform them of the use of AI-generated content in texts, images or translations when you publish a new book or make edits to and republish an existing book through KDP.
What are AI-generated images for Amazon?
Amazon (KDP) considers AI-generated images to include cover and interior images and artwork.
Which AI tools can I use?
As to AI tools, at the time of this writing the number of AI tools keeps growing and expanding. Synthesia published an updated list of 152 openAI tools out there! So, take your pick. Right now, we’re just at an embryonic stage of AI.
AI’s Shortcomings
For one, Copyright Laws are something you should be thinking about. I don’t think I have to go into details about what Copyright Laws are and how they affect you as a writer, I’m not an attorney. You should be well aware of copyright if you’re writing anything on the KDP platform, or any other platform or medium, for that matter. You “ you’re required to review and edit any AI tool outputs.”
In addition to worrying about copyright infringement, Amazon lays all the responsibility on you to determine and verify if any AI-generated and/or AI-assisted content adheres to their CONTENT GUIDELINES.
Can you use AI to write your books?
Yes, you can. BUT you have to disclose it.
Yes, you can. BUT you have to review and edit all AI tool outputs.
Yes, you can. BUT you have to determine it’s not based on copyrighted works.
Which formats are affected?
These guidelines affect all content created on KDP, e-books, paperback, hardcover, picture books, coloring books, video, Kindle Vella, and audiobooks.
What does this mean for you?
If you publish your books on Amazon (hardcover, paperback, and/or ebooks) you have to disclose if you have used AI tools to generate your content. You have to review all the outputs, determine, research, and make sure they don’t infringe on the copyrights of any creator.
One important point to keep in mind, as an author in any medium, is copyright infringement. AI-generated content is a quick whipped-up and blended “soup” of many other people’s work. In my opinion, a lawsuit waiting to happen.
Therefore, if you thought you could whip up a book in four hours, as some people have bragged about over the past few months, you have something else coming your way. Just the research seems to me to be mind-boggling and time-consuming.
One important point to keep in mind, as an author in any medium, is copyright infringement.
If Amazon finds you don’t follow it’s guidelines, they could suspend or terminate your account. Though the guidelines are clear, Amazon/KDP’s clarification about the consequences of not following the guidelines is scarce.
Failure to Disclose
In the past, Amazon has blocked people from publishing for other infractions and not following other guidelines. Perhaps that’s what could happen. The company says it is “actively monitoring the rapid evolution of generative AI and the impact it is having on reading, writing, and publishing.”
What will happen if I use AI-generated content and don’t disclose it?
Will Amazon find out?
Do YOU want to find out?
I DON’T.
Will AI books be eliminated from Amazon?
Maybe? From what I gather from the limited information they have provided, Amazon wants authors to disclose the work that has been AI-generated. That also means the author has to be certain it is complying with copyright laws. At this point, the guidelines only clarify the author has to disclose the work was created using artificial intelligence, or “AI-Generated”
Regarding AI, my principle as a writer is to adhere to similar ethics as those stated here by Amazon. I refuse to put my name on something created or flushed out by an AI tool. I will, however, use AI to generate ideas, brainstorm, and correct errors (think: Grammarly). I support the writers and creators who are clear about their work or likeness being gutted by AI or producers/investors looking to piggyback AI into creators’ contracts from here to eternity. This is one simple demand of WGA and SAG/AFTRA strike at the moment. I also support that “humans” produce the content to be used in creating, and that everyone gets paid royalties for the use of their likeness or creations. However, that’s a topic for another article.
FULL DISCLOSURE: These are my thoughts and you should research further if you have questions concerning Amazon/KDP’s guidelines on AI. I do not work for Amazon and there aren’t any affiliate links in this article. I am not an attorney and am not offering any type of legal advice.
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