Grammarly Sued for Unauthorized Use of Experts' Identities

Grammarly, the popular writing assistant, is facing a class-action lawsuit over its AI-generated 'Expert Review' feature, which allegedly used the identities of real people without their permission. Journalist Julia Angwin is one of the writers whose likeness was used in this feature, and she has filed the lawsuit.

According to the class-action complaint, Grammarly violated the experts' privacy and publicity rights by using their identities for commercial purposes without their consent. Angwin discovered her identity was used in the feature through a report by Casey Newton.

The Expert Review feature was designed to provide users with feedback on their writing, presented as if it were coming from a team of experts. However, it has emerged that these 'experts' were actually generated by Grammarly's AI, with their identities and likenesses borrowed without permission.

This lawsuit is the latest in a series of concerns raised about the use of AI-generated content and the potential for identity theft or misuse. As the technology continues to advance, it is crucial for companies to ensure they are respecting the rights and privacy of the individuals involved, even if they are not directly named or identified.

The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for the AI and technology industry, as it grapples with the ethical and legal challenges posed by the increasing use of artificial intelligence. Companies will need to carefully consider the rights of individuals and seek appropriate consent before incorporating their identities or likenesses into their products or services.

As the use of AI-powered tools becomes more widespread, it is essential that the technology is developed and deployed in a responsible and transparent manner, with a focus on protecting the rights and privacy of all individuals involved.