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38
“The Thing We Were Worried About”: Author Notices Something Off With ‘2025 Summer Reading List’
Artificial intelligence can be a helpful aide or a destructive tool, depending on how you use it. ChatGPT, for example, can provide fact-checked data and creative ideas within seconds. However, its ability to write full-length pieces has also become a cause for concern.
New York Times bestselling author Jason Pargin recently discussed a problematic situation involving AI writing tools. In a recent TikTok post, he brought up a recent article featuring a “summer reading list for 2025.”
The issue? The piece was a machine-fabricated article that fooled many people. Scroll through to read more of this story.
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Generative AI tools like ChatGPT have become a prominent part of today’s digital age
Image credits: Barry / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
However, the cracks in the system are also beginning to show, as pointed out by author and novelist Jason Pargin
Image credits: jasonkpargin
In a recent TikTok post, Pargin mentioned an AI-written article filled with fake information
Image credits: jasonkpargin
He gave specific examples while also naming the author who published the erroneous piece
Pargin went on to mention a primary issue with tools like ChatGPT
Image credits: brackenmacleod.bsky.social
Image credits: Viralyft / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
While also calling for responsible use and accountability
Image credits: jasonkpargin
You can watch his full video post below
@jasonkpargin♬ original sound – Jason Pargin, author
Generative AI has been a problem in contemporary society since its development in 2022
The misuse of generative AI tools like ChatGPT is the main point of Pargin’s video, and publishing fake articles is just one of many minor issues that are part of a larger problem.
In recent years, it has also profoundly affected the education system. In late 2022, Stanford University polled its students and found that 17% used ChatGPT for homework assignments and exams, barely a month after its release.
And while 59% of the respondents only used the tool for brainstorming, outlining, and forming ideas, 29% admitted to answering multiple-choice questions with it. 7.3% of students didn’t bother to edit their submitted written material, aided by ChatGPT.
Some educators have urged action due to the potential drawbacks of misusing generative AI tools. In 2023, New York City’s Department of Education banned ChatGPT for teachers and students.
Image credits: Solen Feyissa / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Education department spokesperson Jenna Lyle stated, “It does not build critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, which are essential for academic and lifelong success.”
Ultimately, it’s all about using AI responsibly, and it begins by recognizing it for what it is. Harvard Business School professor Tsedal Neeley describes artificial intelligence tools as “invisible” because they run in the background of other technologies, and users aren’t aware of them.
At the same time, Neeley says AI tools are inscrutable because even their developers fail to understand how each model reaches an outcome.
As a solution, Neeley urges careful scrutiny with an “appropriate level of skepticism.”
“Leaders should exercise careful judgment in determining when and how it’s appropriate to use AI, and they should document when and how AI is being used,” Neeley wrote in an article for HBR.org.
Pargin pointed out that users who misuse AI must be accountable for their costly errors, especially when disseminating information.
Commenters didn’t hold back with their reactions
The Chicago Sun-Times later stated they were investigating the case
Image credits: chicago.suntimes.com
But they nonetheless received some backlash
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What do you think ?
G A 3 weeks ago (edited)
It looks bloody bad if career journalists write fake articles that are unchecked at any level. Feeds the MAGA crowd on the trustworthiness of real life journalists.
Bat cat in a hat 3 weeks ago
There always were bad journalists and cult leaders, it's just that now they can go even more scot-free by blaming it all on AI
Load More Replies...
Linden 3 weeks ago
I was recently editing a publication and we rejected a submitted article because it was AI-generated and cited research that didn't exist. It didn't take much checking to find the problem. It made up research papers with citations and references. A lot of the author names were real researchers.
Royal Stray 3 weeks ago
If a journalist uses AI for anything other than spellcheck they should be fired. Why is anyone paying you when you're just using AI to do your entire job anyway
GettingCereal 3 weeks ago
I learned very quickly, basically the first time I was going to use it for an article on the urging of my supervisor, that Chat got is very limited in use for journalism. I do use it now, but more like "can you find a source for this information" kind of stuff. I actually wouldn't trust it with spellcheck.
Load More Replies... G A 3 weeks ago (edited)
It looks bloody bad if career journalists write fake articles that are unchecked at any level. Feeds the MAGA crowd on the trustworthiness of real life journalists.
Bat cat in a hat 3 weeks ago
There always were bad journalists and cult leaders, it's just that now they can go even more scot-free by blaming it all on AI
Load More Replies... Linden 3 weeks ago
I was recently editing a publication and we rejected a submitted article because it was AI-generated and cited research that didn't exist. It didn't take much checking to find the problem. It made up research papers with citations and references. A lot of the author names were real researchers.
Royal Stray 3 weeks ago
If a journalist uses AI for anything other than spellcheck they should be fired. Why is anyone paying you when you're just using AI to do your entire job anyway
GettingCereal 3 weeks ago
I learned very quickly, basically the first time I was going to use it for an article on the urging of my supervisor, that Chat got is very limited in use for journalism. I do use it now, but more like "can you find a source for this information" kind of stuff. I actually wouldn't trust it with spellcheck.
Load More Replies... You May Like "Google Just Won Everything": New AI Videos Shock The Internet And People Have Opinions 100 Must-Read Science Books If You’re A Science Junkie
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