The organization's position on AI usage is rooted in its mission to "provide the structure, community, and encouragement to help people use their voices, achieve creative goals, and build new worlds—on and off the page."1 This neutral stance allows participants to choose their preferred writing methods, including AI assistance, without explicit endorsement or condemnation. By maintaining this position, NaNoWriMo aims to support writers in their creative endeavors while acknowledging the diverse approaches and tools available in the modern writing landscape.2

The organization argues that AI can provide necessary assistance to individuals who may face barriers in writing, such as differences in educational backgrounds, language proficiency, or cognitive abilities12. By allowing AI usage, NaNoWriMo aims to make writing more accessible to a broader audience, addressing potential disparities in resources and capabilities. This stance reflects a broader consideration of how technology can be leveraged to support diverse writers in achieving their creative goals, while also acknowledging the complex ethical implications of AI in creative processes.

The AI policy has sparked significant backlash within the writing community, with many participants expressing their intention to withdraw from the event. Daniel José Older, a lead story architect for Star Wars: The High Republic and author of multiple series, publicly resigned from the NaNoWriMo writers board in response to the announcement1. Critics argue that the organization's stance devalues the human element of the creative process and contradicts the core principles of the writing challenge. Some writers have taken to social media platforms like Bluesky to voice their disapproval2, highlighting the growing divide between those who embrace AI as a writing tool and those who view it as a threat to traditional creative practices.

In contrast to its current position, NaNoWriMo previously held a more cautious stance on AI usage. Last year, the organization stated that while participants were welcome to use AI to assist their creative process, employing tools like ChatGPT to write an entire novel would "defeat the purpose of the challenge"1. This shift in policy highlights the evolving landscape of AI in creative writing and the organization's attempt to adapt to changing technological realities while maintaining the spirit of the writing challenge.