OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced Tuesday that the company has trained a new artificial intelligence model specifically designed for creative writing that he claims is “really good” at generating fiction. This marks what Altman describes as “the first time I have been really struck by something written by AI.”
Altman shared a sample of the model’s writing on social media platform X, showcasing a metafictional literary short story about AI and grief. The sample demonstrated the AI’s ability to write from an AI’s perspective while addressing complex themes of existence and human emotion.
“It got the vibe of metafiction so right,” Altman said in his post, though he remained uncertain about “how/when [this model] will get released.”
The development represents a shift in OpenAI’s focus, which has previously concentrated on applications in more structured fields like mathematics and programming rather than creative writing.
Industry experts remain skeptical about AI’s ability to truly replicate human-quality fiction. One commenter noted the emotional disconnect in the AI’s writing, stating, “There’s no weight to the words being expressed, no meaning beyond those of the words written.”
Critics argue that human fiction derives its power from authentic experiences, trauma, and nuanced understanding of the world—qualities that AI systems fundamentally lack. While the new model shows improvement over previous AI writing attempts, many believe the absence of genuine human experience will continue to be apparent in AI-generated fiction.
The global fiction market has grown from $11.16 billion in 2024 to $11.38 billion in 2025, with increasing popularity in short fiction and interactive formats. Though AI may struggle to produce literary masterpieces, it could potentially make inroads in genre fiction where formulaic approaches are more common.
