Chicago Sun-Times Uses AI to Generate Fake Summer Reading List, Sparking Outrage

2025-05-20
Chicago Sun-Times Uses AI to Generate Fake Summer Reading List, Sparking Outrage

The Chicago Sun-Times published a fake summer reading list generated by AI in its summer supplement, causing widespread controversy. The list featured real authors but fictional book titles, drawing criticism from writers and readers alike. While the publisher explained that the supplement was generic national content and resources were limited after staff reductions, readers expressed dissatisfaction, viewing it as deceptive to subscribers and demanding accountability. This incident highlights the risks and ethical concerns of AI in news publishing, and the struggles faced by media outlets under resource constraints.