Going forward, the Nebula Awards don’t allow anything remotely involving generative AI to be eligible for a nomination, let alone a win.
On Friday morning, Kate Risatu, president of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA), reiterated the award review process as it relates to major language model tools (LLMs). Adhering to the philosophy of “trusting the voters,” SFWA ruled that any jobs “written entirely using LLM’s productive tools” were ineligible, and if the selected job used LLMs “at any time” during the writing process, that would be reflected in the ballot.
It was the second part of those rules that sparked controversy in online spaces, with several writers and fans criticizing the SFWA for taking a half-hearted stance against AI and productive LLMs. Hours later, the organization released a new statement with amended language, saying that works written “in whole or in part” by technology were not eligible for the Nebula Awards. Creators who used LLMs at all during the writing process will have to disclose their use when accepting the nomination, after which they will be disqualified.
Addressing the original rules, SFWA acknowledged that those “did not reflect our current policy and deeply held beliefs and values, and were amended to reflect that. To be clear, SFWA does not support the use of LLM production models in the production of creative work.” It also said that the posted rules will be changed to reflect this in the coming days.
Generative AI and LLMs are controversial in creative fields such as writing and video games. Earlier this week, Larian Studios—the creators of the Baldur’s Gate 3, which Risatu explored in an initial statement—came to the fore when the game’s founder and director Swen Vincke told Bloomberg that the studio is using production AI to “test ideas, generate PowerPoint presentations, develop concept art, and write placeholder text. Such AI-generated content will not be in the studio’s next game, Divinity, and while acknowledging the skepticism of his employees at first, Vincke believed that “everyone in the company is right about how we use it.”
That prompted criticism from players and a few game developers, with more coming out of the latter section from former Larian employees or writers who objected to Larian’s hiring process. In response, Vincke asserted that machine learning tools “add to a creative team or individual’s workflow, not replace their skill or craft.” […] We are not releasing the game with any AI elements, nor are we looking to reduce teams to replace them with AI. “
As of this past Thursday, Vincke announced a Reddit AMA involving Larian’s staff, since the first Bloomberg interview (and the ensuing debate) “was lost in translation. To give you more insight, we’re going to do an AMA that brings together our different departments after the holiday break, where you’ll have the opportunity to ask us any questions you have about God’s process directly and our process.” The date for that AMA, and who will be participating, will be revealed in the new year.
The winners of the 2026 Nebula Awards will be announced during the awards ceremony in Chicago, which runs from June 5 to June 7.
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