I have been a passionate contributor to Archive of Our Own (AO3) for years, pouring my creativity and love into fan-written stories that honor the worlds we cherish. However, a distressing trend has surfaced that threatens the integrity and ethos of our beloved platform.

AO3 was established as a sanctuary for imaginative fan fiction, a space where writers like me can craft and share narratives inspired by the works that have touched us deeply. It was never intended to be a repository for computer-generated content. Yet, shocking violations have occurred where AI has been used to scrape our original fan works without permission, compensation, or even acknowledgment. This stolen content is then fed into algorithms to generate artificial narratives—and these AI-generated outputs are now being posted back onto AO3.

This is not only an affront to the hard work and passion of countless fan fiction authors, but it also undermines the very mission of AO3 as a haven for human creativity. To see so many hours of dedication reduced to "AI slop" is heartbreaking. The advent of AI in fan spaces disrespects the collaborative spirit and community that the AO3 platform represents.

We must safeguard AO3 from becoming a dumping ground for AI-generated content. By enforcing stricter guidelines and implementing effective content monitoring, we can protect our community's integrity and ensure our platform remains a place for genuine fan contributions. Solutions may include more efficient filtering systems to detect AI-generated content and clear consequences for users who exploit this loophole.

Allow us to maintain the authenticity and purpose of AO3. I implore the administrators and fellow users of AO3 to join me in this effort. By signing this petition, you are supporting the preservation of a space that celebrates human creativity, dedication, and love for storytelling. Let's keep AO3 special—an archive truly of our own making.