A Manifesto for the Ethical Use of AI in Literature
We, the organizing committee of the International Ivan Bunin Prize, recognize that artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are becoming an integral part of the creative process.
Inspired by the legacy of Ivan Alekseevich Bunin—a master of "photography" and impeccable syntax—we proclaim principles that allow technology to serve the Word without replacing the Human Being.
Inspired by the legacy of Ivan Alekseevich Bunin—a master of "photography" and impeccable syntax—we proclaim principles that allow technology to serve the Word without replacing the Human Being.
1.
The principle of anthropocentrism
AI is a tool, not an author. We maintain that the source of creative will, emotional experience, and ethical responsibility remains human. The use of AI is permissible as a means of expanding creative possibilities (language research, metaphor search, digitization of styles), but the final artistic decision always belongs to the author—the human one.
2.
The principle of transparency (Open Promt)
Any work created with significant use of AI must be labeled. We are introducing an "Open Request" standard: the author is required to disclose the role of the algorithm in the text's creation. Within the framework of the Almanac and the Prize, technological transparency is equated with scientific purity.
3.
The principle of respect for heritage
Stylization is not plagiarism.
The use of algorithms to work with the "Bunin code" should pursue the goals of research and creation, not mechanical imitation or devaluation of style.
We oppose the creation of digital surrogates that imitate the personality of the classic without deep philological understanding.
The use of algorithms to work with the "Bunin code" should pursue the goals of research and creation, not mechanical imitation or devaluation of style.
We oppose the creation of digital surrogates that imitate the personality of the classic without deep philological understanding.
4.
The principle of academic responsibility
Digital at the Service of Meaning. The prize's digital partners and sponsors commit to harnessing the power of algorithms to preserve, systematize, and popularize literature. AI technologies within our project should facilitate the indexing of knowledge, the digitization of archives, and the creation of new educational formats.
5.
The principle of preserving the "living word"
We recognize that great literature is born from personal pain, memory, and sensory perception of the world—something inaccessible to code. The Manifesto states: the Prize's highest honor will always be awarded to a work that is the fruit of the living human spirit.
6.
The principle of copyright protection and the "digital footprint"
Fairness in Algorithm Training.
We recognize that modern AI systems are trained on massive texts created by generations of writers.
We adhere to the following rules within the Prize:
Respect for Intellectual Property: The use of works by contemporary authors to train the Prize's partner neural networks must be carried out exclusively with consent and transparent compensation mechanisms.
Prohibition of Unauthorized Imitation: We condemn the creation of commercial products that exploit the unique style of authors without the permission of copyright holders.
Support for "Human" Original Sources: The Almanac and the buninprize.ru portal always prioritize original work. We advocate the creation of data registries where the use of texts for AI training is recorded and recognized as a form of scientific or creative citation.
We recognize that modern AI systems are trained on massive texts created by generations of writers.
We adhere to the following rules within the Prize:
Respect for Intellectual Property: The use of works by contemporary authors to train the Prize's partner neural networks must be carried out exclusively with consent and transparent compensation mechanisms.
Prohibition of Unauthorized Imitation: We condemn the creation of commercial products that exploit the unique style of authors without the permission of copyright holders.
Support for "Human" Original Sources: The Almanac and the buninprize.ru portal always prioritize original work. We advocate the creation of data registries where the use of texts for AI training is recorded and recognized as a form of scientific or creative citation.
©Bunin Prize. 2026