Seattle Worldcon Clarifies ChatGPT Use Amid Hugo Awards Controversy

The 2025 Seattle World Science Fiction Convention, known as Worldcon, recently became the center of controversy due to its use of ChatGPT in vetting program participants. This sparked significant backlash within the sci-fi and fantasy community, leading to the resignation of three individuals involved, including two Hugo Award administrators.

Importantly, the Hugo Awards themselves were not affected by this AI usage. The chair of Seattle Worldcon, Kathy Bond, clarified that ChatGPT was not used in creating the Hugo Award finalist list, announcement videos, or administering the nomination process. The AI tool was solely employed to help vet potential program participants for panels and events.

The vetting process involved using ChatGPT to evaluate individuals based on their digital footprints for any scandals related to homophobia, transphobia, racism, harassment, sexual misconduct, sexism, or fraud. The AI-generated results were then reviewed by humans before final decisions were made. This process led to fewer than five people being disqualified from participating.

Despite this, the community reaction was strong, with some authors withdrawing their works from Hugo consideration, such as Yoon Ha Lee removing his novel Moonstorm from the Lodestar Award nomination. The controversy highlighted concerns about transparency, fairness, and the ethical use of AI in cultural events.

In response, Kathy Bond issued multiple apologies, acknowledging flaws in the initial communication and promising to redo the AI-assisted vetting process with new volunteers outside the current team. The goal is to rebuild trust within the volunteer-run Worldcon community and ensure ethical standards going forward.

This incident underscores the challenges and responsibilities involved in integrating AI tools into community-driven events. It raises important questions about how AI can be used ethically to support decision-making without undermining transparency or community trust.

Broader Significance and Lessons Learned

The Seattle Worldcon case highlights the need for clear policies and transparent communication when deploying AI in cultural and community settings. While AI can enhance efficiency and help identify potential risks, human oversight remains critical to ensure fairness and contextual understanding.

For organizers of large-scale events, this serves as a cautionary tale about balancing innovation with ethical considerations. Engaging the community transparently and involving diverse stakeholders in AI governance can help prevent similar controversies and build stronger trust.

As AI tools become more prevalent in creative and cultural industries, the lessons from Seattle Worldcon emphasize the importance of responsible AI use, clear communication, and ongoing community engagement to safeguard the integrity of beloved institutions like the Hugo Awards.