The Authors Guild, one of the largest associations of writers in the US, has launched a new initiative to certify that books were written by humans, rather than generated by artificial intelligence. The "Human Authored" certification aims to provide transparency in an increasingly AI-saturated market, allowing readers to know who (or what) created the books they read.

The certification will be listed in a public database accessible to anyone, and is currently restricted to Authors Guild members and books penned by a single writer. However, the Guild plans to expand the program in the future to include books by non-Guild members and multiple authors. To qualify for the Human Authored mark, books and other works must be almost entirely written by humans, with minor exceptions for tools like AI-powered grammar and spell-check applications.

According to guild CEO Mary Rasenberger, the Human Authored initiative is not about rejecting technology, but rather about creating transparency, acknowledging the reader's desire for human connection, and celebrating the uniquely human elements of storytelling. "Authors can still qualify if they use AI as a tool for spell-checking or research, but the certification connotes that the literary expression itself, with the unique human voice that every author brings to their writing, emanated from the human intellect," Rasenberger explained.

The move comes in response to the growing number of AI-generated books flooding online marketplaces like Amazon and its Kindle ebook platform. The Authors Guild first announced the project in October, and has since been working to develop the certification process and database.

The implications of this certification are significant, as it allows readers to make informed choices about the books they read. In an era where AI-generated content is becoming increasingly prevalent, the Human Authored certification provides a way to distinguish between human creativity and AI-generated works. This move also acknowledges the value of human storytelling and the unique perspective that authors bring to their writing.

As the publishing industry continues to evolve, the Authors Guild's Human Authored certification is a step towards promoting transparency and celebrating the art of human storytelling. With the rise of AI-generated content, this certification is a timely reminder of the importance of human creativity and the value it brings to literature.