The goal of participating in NaNoWriMo is to motivate yourself to write and give yourself space to develop your creativity. 'Winning' is a personal achievement and has always been based on the honor system! If using AI will assist your creative process, you are welcome to use it. Using ChatGPT to write your entire novel would defeat the purpose of the challenge, though.
Just for kicks, here's what Chat GPT said when we asked it about AI and NaNoWriMo:
The decision of whether using ChatGPT for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) is considered cheating ultimately depends on the rules and guidelines set by NaNoWriMo organizers and the community you're participating in. NaNoWriMo typically encourages participants to write a 50,000-word novel in the month of November, emphasizing the importance of personal creativity and dedication to the writing process.
Using an AI language model like ChatGPT to generate ideas, provide inspiration, or assist with the writing process may be seen as a form of external assistance. If the rules explicitly prohibit the use of AI or any form of automated assistance, then utilizing ChatGPT could be considered cheating within that specific framework.
However, if the rules are more open-ended or do not explicitly mention AI assistance, it becomes a matter of personal preference and ethics.
Some writers might find it helpful to use AI as a tool for brainstorming, overcoming writer's block, or generating story prompts. Others may prefer to rely solely on their own creativity and skills.
It's important to consider the spirit of NaNoWriMo and the goals you set for yourself. If your intention is to challenge yourself, improve your writing abilities, and create a novel primarily driven by your own efforts, you may choose to avoid using ChatGPT during NaNoWriMo. On the other hand, if you view the AI model as a source of inspiration or a tool to enhance your writing process without relying heavily on it, you could incorporate it into your NaNoWriMo journey.
Ultimately, the decision is up to you and the guidelines established by the NaNoWriMo community you are participating in.