# Beyond Compliance: How AI Could Help Creative Writers by Refusing Them

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2605.16272 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2605.16272/

## Key facts

- No citing papers in the map yet (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 40 of its 117 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 3 Apr 2026.

## Builds on (most cited first, 30 of 40)

- [Explanation in Artificial Intelligence: Insights from the Social Sciences](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1706.07269/) (2017)
- [Know Your Limits: A Survey of Abstention in Large Language Models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2407.18418/) (2024)
- [To Trust or to Think: Cognitive Forcing Functions Can Reduce Overreliance on AI in AI-assisted Decision-making](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2102.09692/) (2021)
- [Explanations Can Reduce Overreliance on AI Systems During Decision-Making](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2212.06823/) (2022)
- [The Art of Saying No: Contextual Noncompliance in Language Models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2407.12043/) (2024)
- [A Design Space for Intelligent and Interactive Writing Assistants](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2403.14117/) (2024)
- [Bridging the Gulf of Envisioning: Cognitive Design Challenges in LLM Interfaces](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2309.14459/) (2023)
- [Luminate: Structured Generation and Exploration of Design Space with Large Language Models for Human-AI Co-Creation](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2310.12953/) (2023)
- [Large Language Models Reflect the Ideology of their Creators](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2410.18417/) (2024)
- [Human Creativity in the Age of LLMs: Randomized Experiments on Divergent and Convergent Thinking](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2410.03703/) (2024)
- [The Effects of Generative AI on Design Fixation and Divergent Thinking](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2403.11164/) (2024)
- ['Simulacrum of Stories': Examining Large Language Models as Qualitative Research Participants](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2409.19430/) (2024)
- [Interacting with next-phrase suggestions: How suggestion systems aid and influence the cognitive processes of writing](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2208.00636/) (2022)
- [Patchview: LLM-Powered Worldbuilding with Generative Dust and Magnet Visualization](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2408.04112/) (2024)
- [Seamful XAI: Operationalizing Seamful Design in Explainable AI](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2211.06753/) (2022)
- [Can Computers Create Art?](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1801.04486/) (2018)
- [CharacterChat: Supporting the Creation of Fictional Characters through Conversation and Progressive Manifestation with a Chatbot](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2106.12314/) (2021)
- [To Rely or Not to Rely? Evaluating Interventions for Appropriate Reliance on Large Language Models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2412.15584/) (2024)
- [ABScribe: Rapid Exploration & Organization of Multiple Writing Variations in Human-AI Co-Writing Tasks using Large Language Models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2310.00117/) (2023)
- [From Pen to Prompt: How Creative Writers Integrate AI into their Writing Practice](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2411.03137/) (2024)
- ["It was 80% me, 20% AI": Seeking Authenticity in Co-Writing with Large Language Models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2411.13032/) (2024)
- [Co-Writing with AI, on Human Terms: Aligning Research with User Demands Across the Writing Process](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2504.12488/) (2025)
- [AI Should Challenge, Not Obey](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2411.02263/) (2024)
- [Ai.llude: Encouraging Rewriting AI-Generated Text to Support Creative Expression](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2405.17843/) (2024)
- [Exploring a Behavioral Model of "Positive Friction" in Human-AI Interaction](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2402.09683/) (2024)
- [Timing Matters: How Using LLMs at Different Timings Influences Writers' Perceptions and Ideation Outcomes in AI-Assisted Ideation](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2502.06197/) (2025)
- [Do Expressions Change Decisions? Exploring the Impact of AI's Explanation Tone on Decision-Making](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2502.19730/) (2025)
- [Making the Write Connections: Linking Writing Support Tools with Writer's Needs](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2502.13320/) (2025)
- [Where Do I 'Add the Egg'?: Exploring Agency and Ownership in AI Creative Co-Writing Systems](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2509.15440/) (2025)
- [LLM Content Moderation and User Satisfaction: Evidence from Response Refusals in Chatbot Arena](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2501.03266/) (2025)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Mainstream creativity support design prioritizes compliant AI for seamless writing interactions, but concerns over inappropriate AI reliance highlight the need for designs fostering reflection on balanced AI and non-AI resource use. Theoretically, intentional AI non-compliance, refusals (saying ``no'' to requests), could introduce such reflection through friction stronger than other bypass-able solutions. Practically, refusal content/language characteristics lead to nuanced reactions. However, little research empirically focuses on nuances beyond mandatory ethical/technical constraints, on turning refusals into strategic friction for `innocuous' requests. We address this through a qualitative study with 22 creative writers, exploring reactions to refusals to common requests across writing stages (planning, translating, reviewing). Findings suggest that reflective potential depends on heterogeneous preference alignment along situational (e.g., convergent/divergent thinking phases), cognitive (e.g., domain beliefs), and relational (e.g., AI roles) dimensions. We discuss implications for creativity support, broader issues (e.g., AI addiction), and frictional/seamful AI design (e.g., integrating different compliance levels).