Writer Sues Grammarly for Unconsented Use of Authors as ‘AI Editors’
El-Balad has reported on a recent lawsuit filed by journalist Julia Angwin against Superhuman, the parent company of Grammarly. This legal action stems from Grammarly’s latest feature, “Expert Review,” which uses AI to simulate feedback from well-known personalities without their consent.
Grammarly’s Controversial ‘Expert Review’ Feature
Last week, Grammarly introduced an AI-driven tool designed to mimic editorial advice from various renowned figures, including novelist Stephen King and journalist Kara Swisher. However, the company failed to acquire permission from these individuals prior to using their names in the feature.
Details of the Lawsuit
Julia Angwin, a veteran journalist and one of the affected writers, is leading a class action lawsuit against Grammarly. She asserts that the firm has infringed on the privacy and publicity rights of numerous authors by impersonating them. “I have worked for decades honing my skills, and I am distressed to discover a tech company has sold an imitative version of my expertise,” Angwin stated.
- Feature Name: Expert Review
- Annual Subscription Cost: $144
- Key Figures Impersonated: Stephen King, Kara Swisher, Carl Sagan
Criticism from Industry Experts
The “Expert Review” feature has been met with skepticism. Critics argue that the feedback provided by the AI is overly generic, raising questions about its value. Notably, Casey Newton, founder of the tech newsletter Platformer, received unremarkable feedback attributed to Kara Swisher, prompting concern from the actual Swisher.
In a response to Newton relaying the AI-generated message, Swisher expressed her frustration, labeling the actions of Grammarly as “identity theft” and adding, “You suck.”
Grammarly’s Response and Future Actions
Following backlash, Grammarly has reportedly disabled the “Expert Review” feature. Superhuman CEO, Shishir Mehrotra, acknowledged the criticism and apologized, but defended the concept of the feature. He claimed it aimed to foster connections between users and experts, likening it to the guidance a professor might offer on an essay.
Looking Ahead
The situation attempts to address ongoing debates surrounding AI, authorship, and privacy in the digital age. As the legal proceedings unfold, it remains to be seen how this case will influence the use of AI in content creation.
