The document discusses the definition of an author. It explores how people become authors through writing papers, experiencing rejections, and gains. It notes that a fictitious character or AI system like ChatGPT cannot be considered authors as they lack agency, views, and accountability. Certain roles like managing a research group or collecting funding do not usually qualify as authorship. The document references guidelines from the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors and ACM policies on authorship.

1. What is an Author?
Carlos Baquero
Universidade do Porto
cbm@fe.up.pt
@xmal{@discuss.systems}
June 21th, 2023. ECCOMAS 7th YIC, FEUP, Portugal
Carlos Baquero Universidade do Porto cbm@fe.up.pt @xmal{@discuss.systems}
What is an Author?

2. The question itself
We become authors without questioning its definition
First we read papers – often them amaze us
Then we venture to write them
We slowly become authors, suffer our first rejections and small wins
For more that 20 years I never questioned: What is a Author?
Carlos Baquero Universidade do Porto cbm@fe.up.pt @xmal{@discuss.systems}
What is an Author?

3. Camille Noûs
Camille Noûs might look like an author
In reality it is a fictitious character
Carlos Baquero Universidade do Porto cbm@fe.up.pt @xmal{@discuss.systems}
What is an Author?

4. Large Language Models
ChatGPT is not an author
It is a statistical text generator guided by input prompts
It has no agency, no world view, no accountability
Carlos Baquero Universidade do Porto cbm@fe.up.pt @xmal{@discuss.systems}
What is an Author?

5. Hyperprolific Authors
Being an author is more than having a name in a paper
Carlos Baquero Universidade do Porto cbm@fe.up.pt @xmal{@discuss.systems}
What is an Author?

6. What does not usually qualify for authorship
Someone being the head of the research group or the department
Being a colleague in the same lab and making excellent coffee
Having, mainly, collected the funding for the research
Fixing typos and grammar
Carlos Baquero Universidade do Porto cbm@fe.up.pt @xmal{@discuss.systems}
What is an Author?

7. ICMJE Guidelines
International Committee of Medical Journal Editors
Carlos Baquero Universidade do Porto cbm@fe.up.pt @xmal{@discuss.systems}
What is an Author?

8. ICMJE Guidelines
International Committee of Medical Journal Editors
Carlos Baquero Universidade do Porto cbm@fe.up.pt @xmal{@discuss.systems}
What is an Author?

9. References
What is an Author? https://cacm.acm.org/blogs/blog-cacm/
269867-what-is-an-author/fulltext
ICMJE Guidelines https://www.icmje.org/recommendations/
browse/roles-and-responsibilities/
defining-the-role-of-authors-and-contributors.html
ACM Policy on Authorship
Policy https://www.acm.org/publications/policies/
new-acm-policy-on-authorship
FAQ https://www.acm.org/publications/policies/
frequently-asked-questions
Carlos Baquero Universidade do Porto cbm@fe.up.pt @xmal{@discuss.systems}
What is an Author?