Grammarly turned me into an AI editor against my will and I hate it
The company tells Platformer it will let experts opt out of the controversial feature — but how different is it than what every other AI company is doing?
On Friday, I learned to my surprise that I had become an editor for Grammarly. The subscription-based writing assistant has introduced a feature named "expert review" that, in the company's words, "is designed to take your writing to the next level – with insights from leading professionals, authors, and subject-matter experts." Read a little further, though, and you'll learn that these "insights" are not actually "from" leading professionals, or any human person at all. Rather, they are AI-generated text, which may or may not reflect whichever "leading professional" Grammarly slapped their names on. "References to experts in Expert Review are for informational purposes only and do not indicate any affiliation with Grammarly or endorsement by those individuals or entities," reads a disclaimer a few hundred words down the support page. Given the quoted promise above, though, and the highly misleading design of the feature, you would be forgiven for thinking otherwise.
"Expert review" came to my attention via The Verge, which reports that the feature launched last August. Stevie Bonifield writes that among the "experts" being misused in this way are famous authors including Stephen King, Neil deGrasse Tyson, and Carl Sagan. It also included me. Bonifield writes: "The Verge found numerous other tech journalists named in the feature, as well, including former Verge editors Casey Newton and Joanna Stern, former Verge writer Monica Chin, Wired's Lauren Goode, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman and Jason Schreier, The New York Times' Kashmir Hill, The Atlantic's Kaitlyn Tiffany, PC Gamer's Wes Fenlon, Gizmodo's Raymond Wong, Digital Foundry founder Richard Leadbetter, Tom's Guide editor-
In response to the backlash, Grammarly told Platformer that it will let experts opt out of the controversial feature – but how different is it than what every other AI company is doing? The company's decision to use AI-generated text under the guise of expert insights raises questions about the ethics of AI in the industry. While Grammarly's response to allow opt-outs is a step in the right direction, it doesn't address the core issue of misleading users about the nature of the AI-generated content.
The use of AI in writing assistance has been a growing trend in recent years, with companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, and others leading the charge. However, the line between AI-assisted writing and AI-generated content can be blurry, and consumers often lack the transparency needed to make informed decisions about what they're using. Grammarly's "expert review" feature is just one example of how AI can be used in a way that's both innovative and problematic.
The inclusion of well-known names like Stephen King and Neil deGrasse Tyson in the AI-generated content adds an extra layer of deception. These figures have not endorsed Grammarly or its products, yet their names are being used to lend credibility to the AI-generated insights. This not only misleads users but also exploits the public's trust in these respected individuals.
The fact that Grammarly is willing to let experts opt out of the feature suggests that the company recognizes the potential for misuse. However, this doesn't absolve them of the responsibility to be transparent about how their AI works and the nature of the content it generates. The industry needs to prioritize transparency and ethical use of AI to maintain user trust and avoid further backlash.
As AI continues to evolve and integrate into various aspects of our lives, it's crucial for companies to be upfront about how their technology is used. Grammarly's "expert review" feature serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of misleading users and exploiting the public's trust in well-known figures. While opting out is a step in the right direction, it's essential for the industry to adopt more transparent practices to ensure that AI is used ethically and responsibly.
In conclusion, Grammarly's "expert review" feature highlights the challenges of integrating AI into writing assistance. While the intention might be to improve user experience, the misleading use of AI-generated content under the guise of expert insights raises significant ethical concerns. The industry must prioritize transparency and user trust to avoid further backlash and ensure that AI is used responsibly. As AI continues to advance, it's crucial for companies to lead by example and set high standards for ethical use.
