ChatGPT refuses to mimic authors' writing styles

ChatGPT began declining requests to mimic the writing styles of well-known authors on 28 July 2026. The artificial-intelligence chatbot previously could imitate the prose of figures like Ernest Hemingway or Jane Austen.

Writers, students, and other creatives who used the feature for stylistic exercises, parody, or educational purposes now find they cannot generate text in those voices. OpenAI said the policy shift aims to respect intellectual property and avoid legal challenges, though the company did not cite specific litigation. Users receive a message that the model cannot fulfill such requests.

This move marks a significant limitation on a widely used creative tool and reflects growing tensions between AI capabilities and copyright concerns. Authors and publishers have increasingly argued that style mimicry infringes on their rights.

The restriction applies to all versions of ChatGPT, including free and paid tiers, and covers both living authors and those whose works are in the public domain. OpenAI announced the update without providing usage statistics or a timeline for enforcement.

Earlier in 2026, several authors' estates and literary organizations publicly urged AI developers to stop mimicking styles, arguing it devalues original work. OpenAI had previously allowed such outputs with disclaimers about potential copyright issues.

OpenAI indicated it may explore licensed partnerships with authors or estates to allow style emulation in the future, but no specific agreements have been announced. For now, users seeking to generate text in a particular author’s voice must find alternative tools or rely on their own writing.