The Ghost in the Machine: When AI Mimics Your Literary Heroes (Without Asking)
Do you have fond memories of being a teacher’s pet? Wish you could still get notes from your favorite college professor? Dream about some implacable voice of authority correcting your every word choice and punctuation mark? Well, great news – and a significant ethical question – has emerged: A software company, now rebranded as Superhuman, has engineered a way to simulate criticism not just from bestselling authors and famous academics of our time, but also many who died decades ago—and the company evidently didn’t need permission from anybody to do it.
From Proofreading to Persona: The Evolution of Grammarly/Superhuman
Once relied upon only to proofread for correct grammar and spelling, the writing tool Grammarly has aggressively added generative AI features. In October, CEO Shishir Mehrotra announced the overall company was rebranding as Superhuman to reflect a latest suite of AI-powered products. The platform now offers an AI solution for a vast range of writing needs, including chatbots, paraphrasing tools, style suggestions, and even AI-powered grading that attempts to predict how a document would score as college coursework.
The “Expert Review” Feature: A Digital Doppelgänger?
Perhaps the most controversial feature is the “expert review” option. Instead of a generic critique from an AI, it lists real academics and authors as available to weigh in on your text. However, a disclaimer clarifies these experts have no affiliation with, or endorsement of, the process. Superhuman explains that the feature “leverages our underlying LLM to surface expert content” inspired by the works of these individuals, pointing users toward their scholarship. But is inspiration enough?
The Ethical Concerns: Authorship, Consent, and Digital Legacy
The practice has sparked outrage among academics and authors. Vanessa Heggie, an associate professor at the University of Birmingham, shared a LinkedIn post accusing Superhuman of “creating little LLMs” based on the “scraped work” of the living and dead, trading on “their names and reputations.” She specifically highlighted the availability of analysis modeled on the work of historian David Abulafia, who recently passed away.
The core issue revolves around consent and the potential for misrepresentation. Although Superhuman argues it’s simply offering suggestions *inspired by* these experts, the presentation can easily mislead users into believing they are receiving direct feedback. This raises questions about intellectual property, the right to control one’s own work, and the ethical implications of digitally resurrecting voices without permission.
Beyond Grammarly: A Wider Trend in AI and Intellectual Property
This isn’t an isolated incident. The rapid advancement of AI writing tools is forcing a reckoning with existing copyright laws and ethical norms. The ability to mimic writing styles and generate content in the voice of specific authors raises concerns about plagiarism, authenticity, and the devaluation of original work. The case highlights a broader trend: the increasing difficulty of distinguishing between human-generated and AI-generated content.
What Does This Mean for Writers and Educators?
The rise of AI-powered writing tools presents both opportunities and challenges. For writers, these tools can be valuable aids for brainstorming, editing, and overcoming writer’s block. For educators, they necessitate a reevaluation of assessment methods and a greater emphasis on critical thinking and original thought. The focus must shift from simply identifying correct grammar and spelling to evaluating the quality of ideas and the originality of expression.
FAQ
- Is Grammarly/Superhuman actually using the work of deceased authors? The company states it is using their work as inspiration for its AI models, not directly replicating it.
- Do the authors and academics recognize their work is being used in this way? No. Superhuman did not seek their consent.
- Is this legal? The legal implications are still being debated, as current copyright laws are not fully equipped to address this new technology.
- What can I do to protect my work from being used by AI? While it’s hard to prevent AI from scraping publicly available content, advocating for stronger copyright protections and being mindful of where you publish your work are important steps.
Pro Tip: Always double-check AI-generated content for accuracy and originality. Don’t rely solely on these tools – your own critical thinking is essential.
Did you know? Cal Newport, author of Deep Work and Slow Productivity, has written extensively about the importance of focused work and minimizing distractions in the digital age. His work provides a valuable counterpoint to the increasing reliance on AI-powered tools.
What are your thoughts on AI mimicking the voices of authors and academics? Share your opinions in the comments below!
