Irish newspaper apologizes for misleading AI-generated article

A daily newspaper in Ireland released a statement saying it was “deliberately deceived” into believing the identity of a guest writer, which turned out to be AI.

An Irish daily newspaper apologized to its readers after it unknowingly published an article by a guest writer who used artificial intelligence (AI) to pen the piece.

In a statement from the Irish Times on May 14, the publication said it was a victim of “a deliberate and coordinated deception.” The editor of the publication, Ruadhán Mac Cormaic, acknowledged the need for stronger pre-publication controls, adding:

“It has also underlined one of the challenges raised by generative AI for news organisations.”

Published on the morning of May 11, the piece talked about the use of fake tans by Irish women from the perspective of a writer named Adriana Acosta-Cortez, who described herself as a “young immigrant woman in Ireland.” 

According to Mac Cormaic, the so-called author engaged with the editorial desk and offered research and personal anecdotes. However, it was uncovered that the piece and the byline image were “at least in part” created via generative AI.

The writer’s Twitter profile reposted a link to the now-removed piece via the internet archive. In another tweet, they called out the Irish Times, saying it needs a “better screening process.”

Link to the now-removed fake tan article https://t.co/dsUX7iJnmp

— Adriana Acosta-Cortez (@ecuadorian_adri) May 14, 2023

While the actual identity behind Acosta-Cortez remains anonymous, Twitter users commented on the post calling the hoax a “solid move” and congratulating the profile on “exposing” the periodical. 

One user said he “can’t in good faith ever read the IT after this.”

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The Irish Times is not the only publication to recently come under scrutiny for AI-related content.

On April 14, a German magazine called Die Aktuelle released “the first interview!” with race car driver Michael Schumacher since a serious brain injury in 2013. However, it was quickly uncovered that the interview was generated by AI, with the publication promptly subjected to legal action from Schumacher’s family.

A Wall Street Journal reporter also recently used AI to “clone” herself with the ability to fool both her bank and close relatives. 

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