Grammarly is facing a class action lawsuit for its AI feature "Expert Review," which used the likenesses and identities of prominent writers without their consent. The lawsuit was initiated by journalist Julia Angwin, who accuses Grammarly of violating privacy and publicity rights by creating AI avatars of real authors to provide writing feedback, according to reports by TechCrunch and The Verge.
The feature, pulled shortly after launch, included digital avatars of notable figures such as Stephen King and other living and deceased authors, sparking significant backlash over privacy and ethical concerns. Literary Hub and Mashable report that Grammarly retracted the tool but initially allowed users to opt out rather than ending the use of the authors' identities entirely, which further fueled criticism.
Multiple news outlets including Fast Company and The Atlantic have examined the broader ethical implications, highlighting worries about AI-generated advice that impersonates experts without permission. The controversy has ignited debate around AI’s use in creative fields and the risks of copying personal identities to generate content or feedback.
Despite disabling the "Expert Review" feature, Grammarly has come under fire from media outlets like Engadget and The Verge for continuing to use author likenesses unless individuals explicitly opt out. This approach has raised questions about consent standards and the responsibilities of AI tool providers in respecting intellectual property and personal rights.
Observers will be watching closely as the lawsuit proceeds and as regulatory bodies potentially weigh in on AI practices involving the unauthorized use of personal identities. The outcome may influence future rules on privacy, consent, and AI development in the creative industries.
Grammarly
Superhuman
Julia Angwin
Carl Sagan
Shishir Mehrotra
Wired
Cam Newton
Mike Tyson
Billie Jean King
The Verge
