A competitor at this year's Eisteddfod has denied using artificial intelligence to write an entry, after a judge raised suspicions. The incident has sparked debate about whether AI has a place at the festival.
Accusation and denial
The controversy emerged when a judge for the Daniel Owen Memorial competition suspected AI had been used to write one of the submissions. Judge Meinir Wyn Edwards called the alleged use of AI to write the novel Y Dderwen "disgraceful" during the announcement of results on Tuesday, August 4.
However, the author, Romy Wood, denied the accusation in an interview with S4C. She said she is a Welsh learner who started learning the language just four years ago. Ms Wood, an established English-language author, said the judges' suggestion was "rude" and hurtful.
"It's not appropriate and it's not respectful at all. We don't act like that in Wales," she said. "I'm a learner, and I know that learners can sound odd to native speakers. That's true of any language, I'm sure—you sound a bit odd when writing in an additional language."
"I expected people to say I sounded a bit broken and not fluent. But I didn't expect to be accused of being an AI," she added.
Eisteddfod's response
In response, the Eisteddfod said the adjudicators were "completely independent; it is important for us as an organisation to respect that independence."
The incident, which occurred during the festival running until Saturday, August 8, has stoked debate on the role of AI in future competitions.
Public opinion on the maes
People at the maes shared mixed views. Rhian Iorweth, a teacher from Rhuthin, said, "We have to be aware of it. When it comes to AI having a space in the Eisteddfod, it depends on what parts of AI would be used. There are so many different things it can do. If it is part of the competition, and the composition then of course not. It's not the voice of the individual."
Caryl Wall from Pontypool said some aspects of AI could be acceptable, "but not when it comes to the works of literature and novels and poetry." She added, "Because you're taking away the essence, the dedication and hard work by cheating, essentially."
Catrin Morris, a teacher from Abergwaun who has competed since a young age, said, "Personally, I don't think there's a place for it. If we are looking at people's creativity, then that needs to be original. It needs to come from the person themselves. No, I don't think that there's a place for AI, especially in competitions in the Eisteddfod."
She also raised concerns about policing: "The issue is, I suppose, how do we police it? How do we stop it happening? It's getting cleverer, isn't it? Is there going to be a point at some stage where we're not really going to be able to tell whether it is AI or not? That's another issue again."
Eifion Bowen from Llandeilo saw potential for AI, saying, "It's becoming part of everyday life, so I can't think the Eisteddfod can ignore those things. So, yes, I think if it's explained properly and used properly, I see no objection to it at all." He added, "I think we'll have to leave it to the judges. I think they know their job. They know what's artificially created or not, or coming from the soul of the author."
Cadi Williams from Aberystwyth, competing this week, said, "I think the Eisteddfod is a chance for people to be unique and creative and share their own stories. So I think the Eisteddfod maybe is not the best place for it, especially in competitions like the poems and stories and so on. I think maybe it's better in a different space than the Eisteddfod." She added, "It would be nice to think that people can have a fair chance when they compete, and that maybe there could be a way to police it, especially in competitions like the Crown and the Chair."
Owain James from Aberystwyth, attending for 50 years, said, "I'm sure there is a space somewhere for AI in the Eisteddfod, but not in creative competitions because the work has been done by an artificial entity not from the person behind the keyboard." He added, "There's always a way of policing it. There's things you can see and look for. If you're using it to check your spelling or something, that's fine. But if you're using it to be creative and come up with ideas, then no, I suppose."
