Virginie Despentes defends colleague over AI use – while writing by hand herself

TVS News AI, editorially supervised, presents Virginie Despentes defends colleague over AI use – while writing by hand herself.

When an experienced writer like Virginie Despentes speaks, the literary world takes notice. That's exactly what just happened — though not because of a new novel, but with a clear statement in the AI debate that's dividing many authors.

Whether you write yourself, simply enjoy reading, or follow the cultural discourse: this incident hits you directly. Because at the end stands the question everyone's asking right now — how much machine is actually in the text we're holding in our hands?

French writer Virginie Despentes has publicly stood up for a colleague accused of using artificial intelligence while writing, according to Der Spiegel. What she says about it is pragmatic and free of drama. But her own craft remains decidedly analog.

What exactly happened?

Another writer was publicly attacked for allegedly using artificial intelligence while writing. Instead of joining the criticism, Despentes steps in and takes his side. In an industry currently wrestling with authorship and style, that's a clear position — and it comes surprisingly from an author known for her uncompromising tone.

What exactly does Despentes say?

The French author's stance is clear but not harsh: she stays out of how others work and defends their freedom. What she personally prefers is unambiguous — handwriting. As she put it herself, Der Spiegel noted:

Everyone can do it however they want, Virginie Despentes thinks. Personally, she prefers to work by hand.

What does this mean for the debate?

In the current discussion about AI in literature, opinions are sharply divided. Some demand clear rules and labeling, others view tool and workflow pragmatically. Despentes takes a third path: tolerance for colleagues, consistency for herself.

For you as a reader, this means above all one thing: you continue to decide for yourself which books you pick up — and how you think about the process behind them. Whatever workshop a text passes through: in the end, what counts is what reaches you when you read it.