Fake Books: A Summer List Of AI-Generated Titles

The recommended reading list included some fictional works, along with others that were, in reality, entirely made-up.

King Features, the content distributor, has announced the dismissal of a writer who used artificial intelligence to create a summer reading list featuring non-existent books.

The list was part of “Heat Index: Your Guide to the Best of Summer,” a special section distributed last week in the Chicago Sun-Times and The Philadelphia Inquirer.

According to the article’s author, Marco Buscaglia, over half of the books listed were fake. Buscaglia admitted to using AI for research but failed to verify the results. “A really stupid error on my part,” he wrote on his Facebook page.

AI Has Caused Trouble For Some News Organizations

This is the latest example of an AI shortcut backfiring and causing embarrassment for news organizations. This revision uses the active voice with Sports Illustrated as the subject performing the action. This version uses the active voice, making the action direct and clear.

“The Heat Index summer supplement was created by a freelance contract writer who used AI in developing the story without disclosing its use,” said King Features in a statement, emphasizing its strict policy against AI-generated content. The supplement was only used by the Sun-Times and Inquirer, the syndicators added.

King Features, which distributes comics like Blondie and Beetle Bailey, along with political columns by Amy Goodman and Rich Lowry, as well as advice features like Hints From Heloise, was behind the supplement.

Fake Books on Summer Reading List

Among the fake summer reading suggestions was The Last Algorithm by Andy Weir, described as “a science-driven thriller about a programmer who discovers an AI system has gained consciousness and is secretly influencing world events.” Also listed was Nightshade Market by Min Jin Lee, described as “a gripping tale set in Seoul’s underground economy.”

While both authors are real, the books themselves do not exist. “I have not written and will not be writing a novel called ‘Nightshade Market,'” Lee posted on X.

The Sun-Times stated it is investigating whether other inaccuracies were present in the “Heat Index” supplement and is reviewing its partnerships with other content providers.

“We are in a period of significant change in both journalism and technology, while also facing ongoing business challenges,” the newspaper said. She emphasized that this should serve as a learning moment for all journalism organizations: We value our work—and it holds value—because of the human effort behind it.

Both the Sun-Times and the Inquirer confirmed they have removed the supplement from their digital editions. The Inquirer published its special section on May 15.

Syndicated Features Are Commonly Used By Newspapers

The Inquirer has relied on King Features for comics, puzzles, and other content for over 40 years, according to Lisa Hughes, its publisher and CEO. She explained that the Inquirer newsroom does not produce these syndicated features and did not contribute to creating Heat Index.

This rephrasing uses the active voice, with 404 Media as the subject performing the action.

It remains unclear who at King Features was responsible for editing Buscaglia’s work. The Chicago-based writer took to Facebook, stating, “I am completely at fault here—just an awful oversight and a terrible mistake.”

“I’m not sure how I bounce back from this career-wise,” he said. “I have many stories left to tell, but I fully accept responsibility for what happened and will face the consequences, whatever they may be.”

Read the original article on: Tech Xplore

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