Author Accused of Using AI to Write Prize-Winning Story

The Caine Prize is awarded annually to the best new Anglophone story written by an African author. Simbarashe Kundizeza won the prize in 2026 with his story The Blue Fighter, which explores themes of paternity, ambition, and financial difficulties. However, a US magazine has accused him of using AI to write the story. The magazine used a software called Pangram, which is also based on AI, to detect the use of AI in writing. The software estimates that the story was written almost entirely by an AI. The author has denied the allegations, saying that the story is entirely his work. The Caine Prize committee has said that it will investigate the allegations and ensure that the author is supported throughout the process. Some African literary voices have come to the author’s defense, arguing that writers have the right to change their style and that such accusations often target black writers.