Grammarly has pulled its controversial AI-driven “expert review” tool amid a class action lawsuit concerning unauthorized use of identities of noted academics. This feature, which provided AI-generated feedback styled after famous authors and scholars, drew criticism for lacking consent from those named, including prominent figures like Stephen King and Neil deGrasse Tyson. Journalist Julia Angwin’s lawsuit alleges Grammarly’s use of identities infringes on privacy rights, preventing individuals from controlling commercial use of their names. The backlash prompted Superhuman, Grammarly’s parent company, to disable the feature, acknowledging valid concerns regarding misrepresentation of voices. While Grammarly remains popular among universities, which encourage student use, critics argue the tool misleadingly implies endorsement from the named experts. In contrast, professor John Kaag defended a more ethical AI approach via his chatbot, highlighting the importance of consent and attribution in using scholarly insights.
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