Our Commitment to Human Creativity
Book Fair at Bel Air exists to celebrate books, art, storytelling, and the people who create them. Supporting authors, artists, illustrators, makers, and other creative professionals is central to our mission and we believe the creative works showcased at our event should reflect human creativity.
Book Fair at Bel Air did not have a formal Generative AI policy in place for our 2026 event. Following this year’s fair, we recognized the need to establish clearer expectations for the creative works displayed and sold at our event. This policy begins with the 2027 Book Fair at Bel Air and is not being applied retroactively to previous participants.
AI-Generated Creative Content
Beginning with BFBA 2027, books, artwork, merchandise, and other creative works displayed or sold at Book Fair at Bel Air must be created by the applicant and may not consist of AI-generated creative content.
All participating authors and vendors will be asked to certify that the books, artwork, merchandise, and other creative products they bring to the event are the result of human authorship and creativity.
Book Fair at Bel Air reserves the right to deny or revoke participation when products displayed or sold at the event do not align with this policy.
AI as a Tool
We also recognize that the broader conversation surrounding Generative AI is nuanced.
Authors, artists, and small-business owners use an enormous range of technology to operate their businesses. AI-powered features are increasingly incorporated into tools used for marketing, administration, communication, design assistance, accessibility, research, and other everyday tasks, sometimes without users even realizing that a particular feature incorporates AI.
For that reason, BFBA’s policy is intentionally focused on the creative works being displayed or sold at our event.
We do not believe it is BFBA’s role to monitor or police how participants use technology in every aspect of their businesses outside of that scope. We encourage our authors and vendors to make informed decisions about the tools they use, including platforms such as Canva and other programs that may incorporate AI-powered features.
Our distinction is ultimately a simple one: Generative AI should not replace the human creator in the books, artwork, merchandise, and other creative works being showcased at Book Fair at Bel Air.
How an author manages their inbox, creates a social media graphic, organizes a marketing campaign, researches their business, or uses technological tools in other non-creative aspects of their work is outside the scope of this policy.
Moving Forward
Technology will continue to change, and conversations surrounding Generative AI will continue to evolve. We recognize that there may not always be a perfectly clear line in every circumstance, and we will continue to evaluate this policy as technology, industry standards, and our event evolve.
Our goal is not to position Book Fair at Bel Air as the arbiter of how creative professionals use technology.
Our responsibility is to determine what we choose to showcase and sell within our own event.
On that point, our commitment is clear: The stories, art, and products showcased at our event must be created by humans.
We are proud to keep Book Fair at Bel Air a space that celebrates the authors, artists, makers, and readers who make this community what it is.