Publisher halts promotion of Quebec author’s book amid fresh AI controversy

Publisher halts promotion of Quebec author’s book amid fresh AI controversy MONTREAL THE CANADIAN PRESS PUBLISHED 1 HOUR AGO COMMENTS SHARE SAVE FOR LATER Listen to this article Learn more about audio Log in or create a free account to listen to this article. Open this photo in gallery: Author Thélyson Orélien in an undated handout photo. FRANCOIS COUTURE/THE CANADIAN PRESS A Quebec author who earlier this week was accused of using artificial intelligence to write an award-winning novel is now facing a new set of allegations regarding the originality of his previous work. A La Presse report published Wednesday alleges that some articles attributed to Thélyson Orélien and published in Quebec and French media between 2012 and 2014 included passages that were also found in previously published work by other authors. The La Presse article said the newspaper used the U.S.-based Pangram software that flagged the apparent similarities. The Canadian Press has not independently verified the allegations reported by La Presse. They come days after Orélien was accused of using generative AI to write his novel, C’était ça ou mourir, which translates to It was either that or dying. Orélien did not respond to a request for comment sent Thursday by text to his phone number. In a statement published Tuesday, he strongly denied using AI to write the novel, which is a harrowing tale of migration. Les Éditions du Boréal, which published Orélien’s novel in Quebec, said in a statement on Thursday that it is concerned about the new plagiarism allegations as they raise issues related to copyright and editorial integrity. “Plagiarism is an unacceptable practice,” the Montreal-based publisher said. Boréal said it is suspending promotional activities surrounding Orélien’s novel for the time being, citing the author’s well-being. The book will remain available. The Salon du livre de l’Estrie, a book fair in Sherbrooke, Que., announced Thursday it was removing Orélien as a guest of honour after learning of the plagiarism allegations. The organization said Orélien’s invitations to participate in two events at the book fair have been withdrawn and references to his participation will be removed from its website and social media. Boréal said it had worked with Orélien in recent days to help him compile a detailed record of the work that took place before the publisher received his manuscript. “We would have liked to be able to provide a definitive answer,” the…