Zimbabwean author denies using AI to win over R200k, supporters back him

Simbarashe Kundizeza won the Caine Prize for African Writing with his short story The Blue Fighter, taking home R219,553
An article in The Atlantic claimed AI-detection software flagged his story as entirely AI-generated
The Caine Prize chair said she was shocked the publication ran the story without conducting a full investigation

A Zimbabwean writer is pushing back hard against claims that he used artificial intelligence to write the short story. It earned him one of Africa's most prestigious literary awards, the Caine Prize for African Writing.

Zimbabwean author Simbarashe Kundizeza addressed accusations that he used AI to win the Caine Prize for African Writing. Image: @simba_steyn
Source: Instagram

Simbarashe Kundizeza won the Caine Prize for African Writing this year for his story The Blue Fighter. His story centres on a boy with a family that's struggling to make ends meet.

The win came with a £10,000 (approximately R219,553) prize. Controversy erupted after The Atlantic published a piece by writer Vauhini Vara titled *"Yet Another Prizewinner Seems to Be AI,"* claiming that AI-detection software called Pangram had flagged Simbarashe's story as entirely machine-generated.

Kundizeza responded directly on X, writing:

"For the avoidance of doubt, I wrote The Blue Fighter."

The chair of the Caine Prize, Ellah Wakatama, told the BBC she was shocked that The Atlantic ran the story. She said the publication contacted her on a Friday and ran the article just two days later, on Sunday, without what she considered a thorough investigation. The incident has reignited a broader conversation about how AI-detection tools are used and whether they are reliable enough to make serious accusations against writers. See the BBC's post below:

Africans defend Zimbabwean author

The BBC News Africa Facebook post drew a flood of reactions from people who had strong opinions about the allegations:

Ngwese Eseh Stanley said:

"Even if everyone is allowed to use AI, some people will still be better: Give the man his prize 🏆"

Isaac Ssamba wrote:

"Some of us have been writing good stories, way before AI! Give the man his award!"

Levi G. Phiri noted:

"These days if you write something and it sounds too good, people easily jump to conclusions that AI did it."

Alan Samuel Mwamulombe pointed out:

"I can scan an article I wrote 10 years ago. It will be flagged as AI."

Mutombo Makuyana Sithole said:

"It's like accusing someone of using a car to get to work, must they use a donkey?"

Carlton Z. Kruah added:

"For those assuming that he used AI to write, let them also use AI to write theirs. AI is for everyone! Congratulations sir 🎉"

Martin Nyirenda joked:

"The good thing is AI was open to everyone. So his AI won 😅"

Zimbabwean author denies using AI to win over R200k, supporters back him

Africans defend Zimbabwean author

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