‘I Like My Big Rat Wife’: Meet the People Using Chatbots to Write Custom Fiction (www.wired.com)

Petra Ferraz de Novaes, a Brazilian software engineer, has begun using AI to craft custom fiction, reveling in the unpredictable and often eccentric narratives generated by models like SillyTavern. This trend reflects a growing interest in AI-assisted storytelling, where users can experiment with diverse genres and character arcs, effectively creating a personalized literary experience. Novaes and others have found that AI not only facilitates rapid story creation but also allows for imaginative flexibility, inviting users to explore narratives beyond traditional literature. Research indicates a significant portion of chatbot interactions involve fiction generation, with a notable subset of users frequently engaging with the technology to create stories or role-play scenarios. Though there are concerns regarding the potential devaluation of human authorship, experts believe this development highlights a shift towards audience preferences for immediacy and customization in narrative experiences. As AI models improve, the implications for the publishing industry might include a tiered system where AI-generated works cater to mainstream readers, while traditional authors continue to engage niche audiences seeking more complex literary forms.