Canadian publisher ends ties with Thélyson Orélien, says AI was used to write his novel
Les Éditions du Boréal says new elements confirm the Haitian-Canadian author used artificial intelligence for 'C'était ça ou mourir,' contradicting his repeated denials.
The Canadian publisher of Haitian-Canadian writer Thélyson Orélien announced Wednesday that it was ending its collaboration with the author of "C'était ça ou mourir," saying he had in fact used artificial intelligence to write his novel, contrary to what he had maintained, Le Nouvelliste reported.
"New elements, confirmed in recent days, indicate that artificial intelligence was used in the writing process of 'C'était ça ou mourir,' while the author had assured us, on several occasions, that he had never resorted to it for the creation of his novel," the publisher said, according to Le Nouvelliste.
The decision follows allegations that Orélien had relied on AI in composing the book. The author had previously sought to gather evidence to support his denial. However, his publisher, Les Éditions du Boréal, confirmed in an exchange with The Canadian Press — reported by La Presse on October 17 — that Orélien had decided to stop collecting such proof.
That effort had been intended to document the book's writing process in response to the allegations. In a statement published Tuesday, October 13, the publisher had initially continued to support the author before reversing course, according to Le Nouvelliste.