A writer is suing Grammarly for turning her and other authors into ‘AI editors’ without consent

Grammarly has recently unveiled a contentious new feature that employs artificial intelligence to replicate editorial feedback. This tool gives users the impression of receiving critiques from notable figures such as novelist Stephen King, the late scientist Carl Sagan, and tech journalist Kara Swisher. However, the company did not seek permission from the numerous experts included in this feature, known as "Expert Review," leading to a significant backlash. One prominent figure, journalist Julia Angwin, has initiated a class action lawsuit against Superhuman, the parent company of Grammarly. Angwin argues that the company has infringed on the privacy and publicity rights of herself and other writers who were effectively impersonated without their consent. "I have spent decades refining my craft as a writer and editor, and I am troubled to learn that a tech company is profiting from a counterfeit version of my expertise," Angwin stated. The irony of the situation is palpable, as Angwin has dedicated her career to investigating the privacy implications of technology. Other critics, including well-known AI ethicist Timnit Gebru, were also featured in Grammarly's controversial review. The "Expert Review" feature, which is accessible only to subscribers who pay $144 annually, has faced criticism for not fulfilling its promise of providing insightful feedback. Casey Newton, another journalist impersonated by Grammarly, tested the tool with one of his articles. The feedback he received, purportedly from Kara Swisher’s AI iteration, was so generic that it raised questions about the rationale behind using these writers' likenesses at all. In response to the feedback, Swisher expressed her discontent, stating, "You rapacious information and identity thieves better get ready for me to go full McConaughey on you. Also, you suck." In light of the controversy, Grammarly has disabled the "Expert Review" feature, as confirmed by a LinkedIn update from Superhuman CEO Shishir Mehrotra. While he extended an apology, he defended the concept behind the feature, envisioning it as a means for experts to connect with users in a meaningful way, similar to Grammarly's existing offerings.