Haitian-Canadian author Thelyson Orelien has finally broken his silence regarding the intense controversy surrounding his debut novel, "C'etait ca ou mourir." The book, which was once a frontrunner for France's prestigious Goncourt prize, faced significant scrutiny after AI-detection software suggested the text was entirely machine-generated, leading to its removal from the shortlist. In a formal statement, Orelien vehemently rejected the accusations of using AI, claiming that while he utilized digital tools for language research, the narrative structure and content were entirely his own. He maintains that the manuscript was drafted years before the rise of modern AI language models, though he has yet to provide the early drafts needed to settle the debate.

Beyond the AI allegations, Orelien also addressed reports of plagiarism involving his earlier literary works. He acknowledged committing "unacceptable mistakes" as a younger writer, admitting that his desire to succeed led him to wrongly appropriate the work of others. Expressing sincere regret for these past errors, he offered an unreserved apology while distancing those incidents from his current novel. As the publishing industry continues to grapple with the reliability of AI-detection software and the ethics of digital assistance, Orelien’s case remains a focal point for debates on authorship and creative integrity in the modern era.