In the wake of the recent deaths of public figures, a disturbing trend has emerged on Amazon: the rapid appearance of hasty and questionable biographies purportedly authored by deceased individuals. These books, likely generated by artificial intelligence (AI), have raised concerns about the exploitation of grief for profit and the integrity of online publishing platforms.
Following the passing of notable individuals such as Joseph Lelyveld, Tom Smothers, and Toby Keith, Amazon witnessed a surge in the publication of hastily written biographies, many of which contained inaccuracies or outright fabrications about the deceased. Michael Lelyveld, brother of the late Joseph Lelyveld, expressed dismay at discovering several false claims about his brother in AI-generated biographies that appeared online shortly after his death.
AI-generated content raises ethical concerns
The emergence of these AI-generated biographies sheds light on the darker side of online publishing, where profit-driven motives may override ethical considerations. Titles like “Beyond the Byline: Unraveling the Heart of Joseph Lelyveld: The Man Who Smoked His Way Through History” and “Tom Smothers: Revealing 4 Untold Truth About Half of Smothers Brother” exemplify the dubious quality of these publications.
Amazon, the primary platform for these publications, has faced scrutiny for handling AI-generated content. While the company allows such books to be sold unless they lead to a “poor customer experience,” it relies on reactive measures to evaluate and remove violating titles. However, identifying the authors of these books proves challenging, as many use fictitious names or repurpose identities found online, as exemplified by the case of Lori M. Graff.
Author identity crisis
Lori M. Graff, a purported author of several of these AI-generated biographies, remains an enigma. Despite being credited with works on Toby Keith and Joseph Lelyveld, no verifiable information exists about her identity. A Google search yields an obituary for a woman named Lori M. Graff, who passed away in 2016, raising questions about the authenticity of the authorship.
The proliferation of AI-generated biographies on platforms like Amazon underscores the need for stricter regulations and oversight in online publishing. As the industry grapples with the ethical implications of automated content creation, it must prioritize transparency and accuracy to maintain consumer trust. Exploiting personal tragedies for financial gain tarnishes the integrity of the literature and underscores the importance of responsible content curation in the digital age.
