AI put “synthetic quotes” in his book. But this author wants to keep using it.

Author and journalist Steven Rosenbaum is navigating a complex relationship with artificial intelligence in the wake of a recent revelation regarding his new book, *The Future of Truth: How AI Reshapes Reality*. The book explores how truth is increasingly manipulated and obscured due to the rapid advancements in profit-driven AI technology. A recent investigation by The New York Times uncovered a few instances of misattributed or synthetic quotes that arose from Rosenbaum's use of AI tools during his research. Among the inaccuracies was a quote attributed to tech journalist Kara Swisher, who stated she had never made the remark, as well as another from Northeastern University professor Lisa Feldman Barrett, who confirmed that the quotes did not appear in her work and were incorrect. In response to this controversy, Rosenbaum is collaborating with editors to conduct a comprehensive citation audit, ensuring that future editions of his book are corrected. Reflecting on the situation, he admitted to *Ars Technica* that he has learned a valuable lesson and intends to approach AI outputs with greater skepticism in the future. Despite the setbacks, Rosenbaum is reluctant to abandon the use of AI in his writing process. He expressed that the thought of returning to traditional research methods feels unappealing, emphasizing the unique capabilities of AI. "AI is magical," he remarked, highlighting how it can connect disparate ideas and inspire new lines of thought that might not emerge through conventional means. This duality of fascination and caution raises the question: can users truly harness AI's potential without falling prey to its pitfalls?