It has been in the works for a while. Discussions started in German speaking countries (DACH) about creating an alternative to NanoWriMo given the huge website outages in the spring event. However, this summer when NanoWriMo accepted a sponsorship from an AI company and began promoting a pro-AI narrative, that was the catalyst that drove the final exodus. Today we received the official announcment that our local group will participate in a new German creative initative called PICO.
Personally, I have heard arguments from both sides, and art community about the use of AI as a tool similar to a camera, and have a woman with a PhD in machine learning in our in-person writing group for Shut Up and Write. I am also members of two groups that have very passionate arguments against using creative content unethnically in the machine learning process by the AI companies. I understand the gambit of these arguements and positions. Clearly NanoWriMo does not.
My personal opinion about the situation is irrelevant in my disapproval of NanoWriMo's recent actions. It represents a severe conflict of interest for them to be bought out by an AI company to promote the use of the tools. In my opinion, it becomes exclusive of the members of two of my writing groups who are passionately against these tools. NanoWriMo should at best remained neutral, because as it stands for local groups to be inclusive, we cannot force people to support an organization that represents a stance our members are vehemently against.
That's a brief argument that gets to the point. I will keep this short and sweet. I approve of the DACH countries working together to create a local alternative that can remain neutral and allow a comfortable space for our members who disapprove of the current ethnical stance of AI companies. NanoWriMo has left these people behind, and I approve leaving NanoWriMo behind.
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