Is AI Content Welcomed on Vocal?

I need to start with the facts:

1. AI is permitted on Vocal as long as it follows Vocal policy and Community Standards.
2. Plagiarism is not permitted on Vocal. It is a violation of Community Standards, and could lead to expulsion from the platform and open the plagiarist to civil or criminal penalties.

I will link and refer to resources that explain what this means and how to apply it to AI-Generated content. Then I'll explain some other stuff, so stick around; OK?

AI on Vocal

In 2023 Vocal published the following, outlining their stance on AI usage on the platform: It must be clearly labeled as such, at the beginning of the content, on any links to AI-generated content, and on any AI-generated images.

That policy left it to the content creator to self-disclose the use of AI, and to be fair sent many people into a panic that they would be penalized for using Spell-Check and/or Grammarly. (These do not need to be noted on your work, but beware that extensive use of Grammarly could strip you of your unique writing voice.)

Unsurprisingly- not every content creator self-disclaimed. So TWO YEARS AGO I tried to make it clear how that could be done by reading, commenting, and reporting unattributed AI. (Although the current rush of AI-hunting is quite.... erm... vocal, I've been there, have the t-shirt, sent the postcard....)

I created a Guide to identify AI-generated Fiction content, created AI Bingo, and more. The content was gathered a year ago as links in this article, which also introduced ways to respond to plagiarism:

When I wrote that piece I had been trying to identify, report, instruct, etc for TWELVE MONTHS. I'd been rebuked, scolded, ignored, questioned, accused of vendettas- you name it. (The piece above also explains why- and I firmly believe this- unattributed AI is harmful as regards Vocal writer-creators as well as the health and standing/profitability of the platform, but whatever)

"Aren't you over-reacting, Judey?" is something I read far too many times. Did I stop? No; but I DID stop the early morning hunt through Latest Stories because it got too exhausting and I grew tired being the Chief Whiner.

Spring 2024 Product Update

The Spring 2024 Product Update happened a year ago, too, and some part of my wishful thinking believed it would make that every morning slog unneeded.

It is the update that introduced the option to assign the AI-Generated label DURING THE SUBMISSION process. It also added the option to flag content as AI instead of having to type it out as a comment. (Thank you for that Justin: 'unattributed AI-generation' was hard to do over and over in the morning before the coffee kicked in) And, yes, that is me getting a call out in the article below for that suggestion)

(But What About Challenges and AI-Stuff?)

All Challenges have a link to the Official Challenge Rules. Here is what you will see regarding AI-Generated entries:

But HOW Do I Report Content?

Reporting content is something to take seriously- it has consequences for the creator and for YOUR reputation. (Personally- I leave a comment on the piece stating it has been reported, and if it's the first time I've reported their content I tell them why and often link to the resources that explain the standards, but you do you.)

The Three DOTS are used to report content. As seen in the image below, hover the cursor over the Three Dots at either the Top OR the Bottom of a piece and 'More' will appear, click the dots ands 'Report' then appears:

When you click on Report a pop-up appears, use the drop down menu to choose the reason you are reporting [AI is at the top, Thanks again, Justin!]

There is also a place to give details like: 'third time I reported it' or even 'they stole this top story from xxx' with a link could give more insight., then click on Report Story to submit.

Plagiarism and AI

Lately a truly reprehensible form of AI has appeared and it has pissed me off enough needs to be addressed. There is an additional way to battle it, too, that you need to know.

The issue includes, but is not limited to, copying a Top Story and running it through an AI-generating platform to subtly (or not) rewrite is slightly and publish it as their own. {Do I have examples? Yes. If you want them then you can DM me for an example. If any reader wants to share that it happened to them please do in the comments}

Sometimes the Image used remains the same, sometimes the Title remains the same, and in one example the title calls out that it was actually written by someone else (which is all kinds of stupid y'know?)

Plagiarism is NOT permitted. Here is how to report it:

1. Use the Three Dots, Report, Drop down. Add a link to the piece that was plagiarized.
2. (What I also do: add a comment on the story stating it was plagiarized, with a link to the original. Then I go to the original, write a comment that it has been stolen, and add a link to the plagiaristic piece)
3. Use the official Google Form to report plagiarism. It can be found on the Vocal Discord (very bottom of the column), or just click here. The form is simple:

Let's Recap

1. AI content is permitted on Vocal: must be attributed as such during submission, cannot win Challenges.
2. You can Report unattributed AI and/or Plagiarism using the Report feature on every piece of content via clicking on the Three Dots.
3. You can use the Vocal Plagiarism Report form to report plagiarism.
4. Bonus: To reach Vocal directly, go to the bottom of any page on the platform (except a work in progress) and see this

Clicking on Contact opens a window pre-addressed to

Clicking on Support gives you the window to email:

I hope this has been useful for you, love from Vocal-Mama, The AI Hunter, Yes-I'll-Report-It-For-You, Yes-It-Looks-Like-AI-To-Me, Hell-No-You-Can't-Do-That, or just plain Judey.