Sci-fi fans voice real-world AI concerns at Worldcon 2025
The world’s premier science fiction convention, Seattle Worldcon 2025, currently underway, has found itself at the epicenter of a real-world debate mirroring the very themes its genre so often explores: the profound and sometimes unsettling impact of artificial intelligence on human creativity and the information ecosystem. The controversy ignited when organizers revealed in April that ChatGPT, a large language model, had been utilized to vet over 1,300 potential panelists for the event.
This revelation triggered an immediate and widespread outcry from the science fiction and fantasy community, prompting Worldcon chair Kathy Bond to issue an apology and commit to redoing the entire vetting process without AI tools. The stated purpose for using ChatGPT was to streamline background checks for potential “scandals” like homophobia, racism, or harassment, a task that traditionally consumed hundreds of volunteer hours. Organizers claimed the AI saved time and even improved vetting accuracy after human review. However, critics swiftly pointed to the inherent unreliability and potential biases of generative AI, its formidable environmental toll, and the ethical concerns surrounding its training on copyrighted works without consent or compensation. The backlash was significant enough to lead to the resignation of three senior Worldcon officials, including the Hugo administrator.
In a direct response to the controversy, some writers and fans organized “ConCurrent Seattle,” a one-day, AI-free alternative conference held concurrently with Worldcon. Spearheaded by novelist and Hugo finalist Mia Tsai, ConCurrent Seattle explicitly rejects the use of generative AI, asserting that “there is no place for genAI when it has been used to steal from artists and has a devastating impact upon the environment.” The event aims to offer quality programming while upholding the traditional human-powered ethos of conventions.
The Worldcon incident serves as a microcosm of broader, intensifying anxieties within creative industries concerning AI. Authors and artists fear that generative AI tools are plagiarizing their works, devaluing human contributions, and threatening livelihoods. The Science Fiction Writers Association (SFWA) has actively pushed for an “opt-in” regime where creators are compensated if their work is used to train AI models. The U.S. Copyright Office, reflecting these concerns, has stated it will not register works produced by AI without significant human authorship.
Beyond copyright, ethical considerations surrounding AI in content creation are paramount. Experts emphasize the need for transparency when AI is involved, as well as vigilance against algorithmic bias and the generation of inaccurate or “hallucinated” information. While AI is rapidly transforming sectors like design, music, and video editing, offering new tools and efficiencies, the debate persists over whether AI should be viewed as a “collaborator” or a “competitor” to human artists. The Worldcon episode underscores the urgent need for robust governance and ethical frameworks to ensure AI serves human creativity rather than undermining it.