Hugo Administrators Resign Over ChatGPT Use in Worldcon Program Vetting

Three prominent administrators from the Seattle 2025 Worldcon, the annual gathering where the Hugo Awards are presented, have resigned in the wake of a controversy involving the use of AI tools for vetting program participants. Hugo administrator Nicholas Whyte, deputy Hugo administrator Esther MacCallum-Stewart, and World Science Fiction Society (WSFS) division head Cassidy announced their decision in a joint post on Bluesky, reaffirming that AI had not been involved in the Hugo Awards process at any stage. The controversy erupted after questions arose about Seattle Worldcon 2025's use of Large Language Models (LLMs), specifically ChatGPT, in the vetting process for potential panelists. Seattle Worldcon 2025 chair Kathy Bond addressed these concerns in a blog post on April 30, explaining that the LLM was only used to streamline online searches of proposed panelists' names. The results from the AI tool were then carefully reviewed by multiple team members for accuracy, and no other data besides the names were input into the model. Bond emphasized that the AI was not used in any other aspect of the convention or its program. Despite these clarifications, the incident sparked significant backlash on social media. Critics argued that the use of AI, even in limited capacities, could introduce biases and inaccuracies in the vetting process, potentially affecting the fairness and integrity of the event. The controversy reached a peak when Hugo nominee Yoon Ha Lee, whose book "Moonstorm" was a finalist for the Lodestar Award, withdrew the nomination in protest. In a post on Bluesky, Lee cited the April 30 Worldcon blog post and expressed his dissatisfaction with the use of AI in the vetting process. The resignations come as a result of the ongoing scrutiny and criticism from the sci-fi community. In an additional message on May 2, Bond acknowledged the flaws in her initial statement and apologized for the harm caused. She admitted that her previous communication failed to address the community's concerns fully and was incomplete and flawed. Bond's apology, however, did little to quell the uproar, and the resignations followed shortly thereafter. Seattle Worldcon 2025 is scheduled to take place from August 13-17, with the Hugo Awards ceremony set for August 16. The event, organized by the World Science Fiction Society (WSFS), typically attracts a wide range of sci-fi enthusiasts, authors, and industry professionals. The resignations and AI controversy have cast a shadow over the upcoming convention, raising concerns about the trust and transparency within the organizing committee and the broader community. Industry insiders have weighed in on the controversy, highlighting the sensitivity of using AI in cultural and literary contexts. Many agree that the vetting process for events like Worldcon should be handled with utmost care to avoid any perceptions of bias or inaccuracy. The incident has also sparked a broader discussion about the role of AI in the publishing and literary worlds, with some advocating for a cautious approach and others seeing potential benefits in efficiency and accessibility. The Seattle 2025 Worldcon organizing team now faces the challenge of rebuilding trust and ensuring that the event proceeds smoothly. The resignations of Whyte, MacCallum-Stewart, and Cassidy could prompt a reevaluation of the AI policies and further transparency measures to address the community's concerns. Evaluation and Company Profiles The resignation of the Hugo administrators underscores the deep sensitivity of the sci-fi and fantasy community to issues of fairness and integrity. While the use of AI can offer efficiencies, this incident highlights the need for clear communication and transparent processes, especially in the context of high-profile events like the Worldcon. The World Science Fiction Society (WSFS) and Seattle 2025 Worldcon must now navigate a delicate balance between innovation and community trust to ensure the success and credibility of the upcoming convention and awards ceremony. Industry leaders and community members alike will be watching closely to see how they handle the fallout and whether they can regain the confidence of the sci-fi and fantasy community.