ChatGPT shifts approach by refusing to imitate specific author styles

ChatGPT is shifting its approach to creative writing requests. Users have observed that the chatbot increasingly refuses direct commands to imitate the specific, recognizable voices of famous authors, such as Stephen King, Ernest Hemingway, or Charles Dickens.

Instead of direct imitation, the system now tends to offer original text that incorporates broader literary qualities, atmospheres, or genre elements requested by the user. While previous limitations primarily targeted living authors, recent tests suggest this approach applies more broadly, regardless of whether the author is deceased.

This shift occurs amid intensifying legal debates regarding copyright and the use of protected content to train AI models. OpenAI and Microsoft are currently facing lawsuits in the United States from authors and media companies alleging unauthorized use of their works. While the companies argue such use is transformative and falls under 'fair use,' the chatbot's new behavior provides a technical workaround by allowing users to describe specific tones—such as minimalist dialogue or dark atmospheres—without naming specific individuals.