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4mo ago

AI-Generated Fake Book List Prompts Apologies from Major U.S. Newspapers

The Chicago Sun-Times and Philadelphia Inquirer retract a syndicated summer reading guide after fabricated AI-created content undermines editorial standards.

The list contained only five titles out of a total of fifteen, which were actual books
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FILE - The Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News building in Philadelphia is shown in a file photo from Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2007. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
The offices of the Chicago Sun-Times.

Overview

  • A summer reading list published in the Chicago Sun-Times and Philadelphia Inquirer included 10 fake book titles generated by AI, attributed to real authors.
  • The content was part of a syndicated special section from King Features, created by a freelance writer who admitted to failing to fact-check the AI-generated material.
  • Chicago Public Media and King Features have launched investigations, with King Features terminating its relationship with the freelancer involved.
  • The Sun-Times and Inquirer removed the section from their digital editions, apologized to readers, and announced policy updates to improve oversight of third-party content.
  • The incident highlights growing concerns about the use of generative AI in journalism and its potential impact on trust and credibility in the industry.