The EWC joined the International Conference of our member, The Hellenic Authors’ Society “I write, I translate, I think in the age of Artificial Intelligence – What it means to be a writer today,” in Athens.

Lecture | Keynote by Monika Pfundmeier, 2nd Vice President of the European Writers’ Council.

To the recording (YouTube, external link) (from 06.42:00 on)

Perspectives for and from Europe by the European Writers‘ Council about Writing Future, Doing right(s), and Keeping up the fight in the face of AI and on the brink of a new era.

I. Introduction: European Writers’ Council and Vice President Monika Pfundmeier
II. Current situation of Human Writing vs Generative AI
III. Measures and possibilities to act – what the EWC everyone can do
IV. Perspectives for a better future

I. Introduction:

European Writers’ Council

The European Writers’ Council (EWC), is a non-profit, non-governmental federation constituted by 52 national writers’ and literary translators’ associations all over Europe – from European Union Member States, the EEA countries Iceland and Norway, as well as Belarus, Switzerland, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and the UK. EWC members comprise over 250k professional authors in the text and book sector, writing altogether in 37 languages and publishing globally in all genres (fiction, non-fiction, educational, academical, children & young adult, poetry).
The EWC is the only federation worldwide representing the professional interests of solely authors of the book sector, and Europe’s knowledge and best practices exchange platform to cooperate with each other.

The EWC’s mission comprises three main objectives within the European context:

• • Authors’ Rights, including Copyright and related rights
  • Culture Policy
  • Cultural Exchange
  Details of our mission and objectives as well as current topics, you can find on our website www.europeanwriterscouncil.eu or via our Social Media Presence. I cordially invite you to reach out and contact us via E-Mail!

About Monika Pfundmeier, EWC Vice President

As EWC’ second Vice President, Monika Pfundmeier is fighting together with the colleagues from the EWC Board and Team for authors rights and cultural politics. She is a writer, having the experience in our profession. Her background is rooted in the finance branch and in IT, which gives her fundamental knowledge also for the book sector.
She is driven to find a way supporting and preparing writers and the book market to step into a prospering and smart and financially stable digital and kind and live-able future.

II. Current situation of human writing under the threats by GenAI and it’s inpact on democracy

Human writing

So far, since ever, humans shaped the world as it is. A lot of what surrounds us, what we see, use, what we have in our hands or under our fingertips is invented by creative human minds.
Humans created this due to the diversity of our voices, languages, perspectives, needs.
Humans experience the world in a way that is:
loving, annoying, raging, rejecting, embracing, teaching, criticising, inspiring, responding, forgiving, imperfectly perfect, full of friction, chaos.
This drives us out of our comfort zone and enables us to grow – individually, and as society. Sharing Human experience, vision and inspiration in stories – written stories –
This is what we can and need to relate to.

Why and how could we ever want to let machines tell us,
how and who to be,
how to perceive OUR world,
how to feel in our physical bodies?
There is NO such connection for the machines,
no understanding how to connect and really relate to others.

WHY should we want to want this?

Human writing cannot, must not, shall not–– be substituted by GenAI.
Writing is pure magic in our hands. Writing is the very human skill that connects our brains, our heart, our hands.
We need to find, have and strongly defend a – our unique human authors voice and human perspective.
Lets be careful with the words we have at our hands. Words matter. Its important to specify, when it comes to literature and authors‘ rights the focus is on Generative AI, more precisely on LLMs.

We often hear that authors are „tech- and innovation-phobic“.
Though: Authors ARE the creators, THE one profession which was traditionally always part of the frontrunner on innovation and technology.
The reality is: LLMs are not benefitting for mankind so far, taking in the high price we are paying for it.
So far also: no profitable outcome in comparison to all this exploitation happening.

A vast majority of us writers (and a lot of writers and translators are Tech-Geeks, not only the SciFi Authors) think, technical advance IS great When it serves humans.
Humans finding their human path of living, of writing.
Like I did – as I read some books, I read some book – a book, like it has been since ever a book written by a human. Read it, listened to it’s silence, its voice.
And even in its silence, it spoke to me in a way.
Convincing, I can craft a story my way.
And I did … though first, i failed and failed, draft for draft. Stood up again, and again. Learned, failed, worked, evolved, sent out. Am sending out:
my voice, my perception of the world.
There are readers, who appreciate, whom I appreciated, impact, inspire to aspire some of their desire.
Humans can and ignite this one spark, a spark in other humans. We inspire and we can be role models for the people around us.

Impacts on authors & society in concerns of AI

The AI-part:
AI. We saw, see, will see awesome and sensible progress in the fields of, i.e. Medical science or reducing waste or a lot of issues where math and calculation weights strongly. There are practical use-cases, where AI is a great tool and can and has to help us as mankind.

Big-Tech is awesome in their marketing, but deeply culture- and human-phobic.
Big Tech/Gen AI is not our friend. Its devouring massive resources – water, energy, clear air, democracies, the value of human creativity, connection, interaction and ability to think critically AND empathetically.

Much overlooked, or far from acknowledged – is: The value of our work is in the whole process of creation, of dedicated work, of experience, of daring to fail, when creativity is to turn into book or any other art or innovation. We see: Not only the product is diminished and stolen by Big-Tech without authorisation, without paying the fair price, without remuneration.
In any other case but AI this is called theft. Using a protected work without a license or without a legal excuse.
Studies by Lucchi published in July 2025, or another German Study by Dornis and Stober from End of 2024 show this clearly in contrast to what Big Tech claims. The “legal excuse” by the tech industry does not work. Which makes the use illegal. They Not only „train“ and research in the holy crusade of science.

Big Tech is competing in the markets with us, forcing humans out, offering subscription LLM models and Gen AI-products built on stolen work.
We watch right now the biggest heist in history.
AGAIN: Great marketing. Just let’s not fall for it. While Value is made invisible, while they weakening us, Europe, our democracy and diversity. Lila Konomara pointed out:

“When five companies own all human knowledge – that’s a huge threat to all of mankind, to us, to our democracy.”

Big-Tech is teaming up with autocratic regimes, getting an even better handle on exploitation and making humans and their uniqueness invisible. In that way we are easier to manipulate, to break, to exploit.
Synthetic communication and taking away human voices, human empathy, voices of minorities, of critics, of women and eroding artists is one playbook chapter of autocrats and dictators, leading to fascism. While some individuals are earning the profits.
While WE pay the price for danger, misconduct, manipulation and harm. They take away the tax payers’ money that could be instead invested in education, culture, infrastructure and human friendly innovation.
If – as so often claimed – this technology can save lives? Why then did the Big Tech Companies, who own a load of data, not already start with saving and protecting lives and human livelihoods, BEFORE there is a lot harm inflicted on a lot of humans. Instead there is a huge invest in machines that don´t pay taxes and rather threaten our future.

We are on the brink of a new era. Therefore we have to act. And we have to act quickly to change the course of events towards a human friendly and sustainable direction.

How do we empower and strengthen human creativity and culture?

III. What EWC is doing: Perspectives of what to do and what can an organisation or an individual do in visioning of a better future

Quoting here from the film “Good Fortune”:

“How can we fight gigantic Cooperations if we´re already fighting just to get by, to survive.”

If AI would have already taken over – there would be no Keanu Reeves or Sandra Oh or Aziz Ansari staring in this film. Would we really like to live in a world of mediocre Gen AI products or AI Slop without giving humans the chance to shine? Also: What a delight to see other humans thrive.

The second part of the quote echoes EWC’s sentiment:
„We know what´s going on on the ground, we rather be fighting to get more people up.“
EWC
… is addressing members of the Parliament. We are in exchange with its Committees as CULT or JURI, participates in Working Groups, Studies or Consultations by the European Commission and the European Parliament, for example: in the development of the General Purpose AI Code of Practice last year or for a Code of Practice on Transparency with regard to Art. 50 of the AI Act, or on the „Digital Omnibus“-Strategy, or on this year’s evaluation of the Copyright in the Digital Single Marked-Directive (the so-called CDSM Directive), amongst other issues about the question if Art. 4 on the TDM exception should include GenAI processes (spoiler: we are convinced that the TDM* [*Text and Data Mining] exception was not meant for GenAI).
EWC is conducting surveys – like the one Anna Afentoulidou mentioned in her speech – on Authors’ Situations in Europe, to help defend and improve our situation in Europe, to gain an overview as well as to supply you with arguments on the situation when you need them.
We, EWC, are joining forces with other artists organisations all over the world to address the very subjects that endanger Europe’s Creativity. For the Media EWC is a valuable partner for interviews and – for journalists’ – for important background information.
We raise awareness about our situation and the necessity of a strong culture and a strong authorship.
Even as we are forced to witness heavy attacks by the financially strong Big Tech Companies. They try to undermine Europe, by undermining European regulations that are meant to protect humans. At the very moment: the AI Act, via the Digital Omnibus initiative. The sales-pitch-disguise here is to support and help smaller Start-ups and Businesses.
While gaslighting the fact that history shows: Mankind managed bigger leaps and more sustainable innovations often due to implementing laws to protect humans – or like overcoming deadly diseases by regulating water pipelines or implementing the safety belt in cars. Though: here we are standing up and we are alert.

Our crucial base is EWC’s A.R.T.-principle. We demand:
– Authorisation: consent from authors and translators if using their work.
– Remuneration in an appropriate and adequate way and acknowledging the whole process it takes in drafting and crafting to finalise, publish and sell books and other works.
– Transparency about what´s in „the machine“, how it’s used, where´s the money going, also in order to enable us to build up voluntary licensing systems etc..

What can we do as individuals, as society as we are witnessing how over-represented Big Tech from abroad is, forcing in their view and wishes shaping Europe’s future?

First: It’s urgent for authors – and everyone – to get informed and not sold on a marketing pitch about AI. And not fall for the competition who is better – we are humans. Period.
We have to ask – ourselves and our fellow humans:
WHY do we want or need AI in culture and ART? How do we use it?
Who is hurt, when we use it? Who – for real – earns the money?
And most of all:
When and why did people decide that mediocrity or less would be enough? It’s a bizarre strategy to use AI when it would become only “good enough”.
Then we have to remember:
There is no need and no law written in stone demanding: you HAVE to break things while moving fast.
Or: every change HAS to be disrupting, destructive, destroying lives and societies. That´s some bully’s saying.

We can decide to take care of what we value – like:
Defending our skills – understanding, comprehending, connecting, reading, forming an own thought and own voice.
With all this knowledge we can have in the palm of our hands, at the tips of our fingers – we can do better.

WHAT can we do?
It’s okay, to feel overwhelmed and afraid. But don´t let your fear take over. Don’t obey in advance. The difficult part is actually “just” to decide: Where to start?

I like to share the advice of Timothy Snyder (an American Historian): “Do something, anything.”

Do it,
even if it’s just a small thing like:

– using EWC’ AI Toolkit – you find it on our website,
and other examples as there is much more if we dare to look, like:
– educating yourself,
– connecting with other humans in real life connections.
– Get informed, be informed about what’s already here, and: what’s coming? With the full picture of our rights, long term negative impacts of AI on personal and worldwide level.
– Buy books of human authors, published by responsible publishers, in local book shops. As a side note – thousands of AI “books” are uploaded to amazon every day – often not recognizable for the buyer.
– Avoid shopping at companies that support fascism.
– Support voluntary and writers’ organisations. We stand up for authors‘ rights, we help. We can help more – the more members we have, the bigger our impact
– Join writers unions, writers organisations and exchange with your writers’ colleagues about your authors’ right, your rightful income, how your book is to be used – or not – to be ingested by GenAI – and in case: oppose to this condition
– If you have to use AI: do it in a responsible way and be aware of how much resources you burn down by doing this.
– Be aware: Big Tech will use your work and stories – first to exploit, then to replace you.
– Support other writers.

IV. Vision of a better future

The way we thrive is in human plurality and our way to connect for real as humans, to take care of our human relationships; to experience human mistakes and having the chance learn from them. That´s the process to grow.
We grow from and through imagination, from the exchange with other humans.
This can be challenging, but we do grow from friction and by stepping out of our comfort zone.
The path to evolve is: to protect humans, our individuality and diversity, human livelihood and culture.
There never has been growth by trading away our ability to think and earning a shiny, fancy new gadget someone offers.

Authors, translators, each of us:
We are many and a million small deeds are a huge number.
WE DO HAVE POWER.
By being human and standing solidly with humans.
Having a say about AI and the impact on us is in our hands, not there somewhere in a distant tower of politics.

Only: We need to use our power!
So we decide, what our future, lives and society can and shall look like.
Of course, it’s not easy, but nothing good ever came from easy.
Change won’t happen overnight but if you quit, if we quit, it will not happen at all.

I am certain:
AI can be as a tool an ally IF it supports humans. There are people willing to find ways to use the technology in a good way.
I dare say – the really helpful AI tools of the future will not be of a generative nature creating something that resembles images, fiction or music – but rather some that simply use technical and medical data, analysing traffic patterns or building schemes and helping the human cope with the vast amounts of data we are producing every day.

But: We mustn’t let it seduce us, replace or rid away our ability to use and sharpen our brains.
We mustn’t limit ourselves already in obeying in advance or we miss out on what good and exceptional can be created by humans and come to life.

I state here – ceterum censeo:
For our future as mankind, we must dream big and with a very wide and open gaze to the limitless horizon. Doing this, reality can follow with a wider range of possibilities.

Let´s come together, lets organise better, let´s decide to do the right thing – not the financially beneficial thing, that burns down our lives and planet.
Let’s act supporting humans, for human writing, creativity, innovation, growth, for a free and democratic Europe that can evolve more and more into reaching the goals of equality, justice, stability, safety.

Like here, like now. Each of us – with our deeds, with our words.
As: Words are the first thing to touch one’s human soul and mind.
Our mind is the architecture of our attitude and actions and the world we want to live in.
Let’s do it with Courage.

As Courage creates future.

––Monika Pfundmeier, 2nd Vice President of the EWC

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Videos from the two days of the Conference can be found here: https://bit.ly/HellenicAuthorsSocietyconf

with lectures from:
Chris Durt , Philosopher, Interdisciplinary Researcher, and Senior Researcher Lecturer at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) – (0:46:44), Topic: LLMs and the Death of the Author
Tobias Blanke, Professor of Artificial Intelligence and Humanities, University of Amsterdam; Professor of Social and Cultural Informatics, King’s College London, Topic: Why is AI (all of a sudden) so invested in culture? Deep learning’s insatiable appetite. (4:10:50).
Keynote by Monika Pfundmeier, 2nd Vice President of the European Writers’ Council,  @from 06.42:00 on
Daniel Andler, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy, Sorbonne Université; Member of the Académie des sciences morales et politiques; Founder of the Département d’études cognitives, École Normale Supérieure; Knight of the French National Order of the Legion of Honour, Topic: Creativity, problem-solving and artificial intelligence, @ 8:59:24