The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards acknowledge that many artists and writers are using AI technologies as a tool to engage in the making of original work, and therefore, as of July 1, 2025:
- The Scholastic Awards permit the use of AI technologies to aid in the artistic process during the creation of an entered work, such as brainstorming or outlining.
- The Scholastic Awards do not permit and will deem ineligible any entered work for which the final product is itself AI-generated.
The Scholastic Awards define AI-generated work as a work that is automatically created based on prompts or other inputs, with minimal or no human interaction. These types of works do not meet the Scholastic Awards’ standards for originality. If a teen enters an AI-generated work, we will consider that a violation of our Copyright & Plagiarism Policy and it will be subject to the same consequences. That is, it will be rejected as ineligible for an award or, if it has been selected for an award and is later determined to be AI-generated, the award will be taken back or canceled.
It is highly encouraged that all artists and writers document their creative process. In the event of a concern over a work’s originality, the ability to provide the Scholastic Awards with documentation of your creative process is hugely beneficial.
As part of the entry process, you will be asked to indicate whether and how you’ve used AI-technologies during the creation of your work. If you’ve used it in accordance with our policy, this will NOT influence your eligibility or chances of winning.
Examples of permissible uses of AI-technology (permissible means that it is allowed):
- Using AI-powered tools to produce ideas, prompts, or suggestions early in the creative process
- Using AI-powered search functions for research purposes
- Using applications and software in which AI-powered features are embedded (e.g., Adobe Photoshop, Procreate) to edit or enhance an original work
Examples of impermissible uses of AI-technology (impermissible means that it violates the Scholastic Awards’ originality terms):
- Providing input such as datasets or text prompts to an AI-tool that automatically generates an image or piece of writing as the final product
- Any work for which the artist or writer is unable to demonstrate and articulate their creative decision-making process
Questions to ask yourself if you’re unsure:
- Who made the key artistic and creative decisions—a human, or a machine? Is this my own unique voice and vision?
- Did I apply artistic skills and techniques, and can I articulate them if asked?
- Can I provide the sources for any works cited?
- What could I show as evidence if there are concerns about my work’s originality?
- How does my work compare to something created without the use of technology?
- Would I feel that I am being truthful if my work is recognized for its originality?