Creepy AI Tool Leverages Deceased Educators to Evaluate Your Work

Grammarly, a well-known AI-powered writing assistant, has recently come under scrutiny for utilizing simulations of academics, including some who have passed away, to critique written work. This eyebrow-raising development raises questions about the ethical implications and effectiveness of AI reviewing capabilities.

In recent years, artificial intelligence has integrated itself deeply into our daily routines, proving useful in various tasks—from managing grocery inventories to enhancing workplace productivity. For anyone engaged in writing—whether for professional purposes or academic endeavors—Grammarly has likely been a go-to resource. This intelligent spellchecker provides guidance on spelling errors and offers feedback on sentence structure, significantly aiding users in improving their writing.

AI Insights from Deceased Professors: A Controversial Feature

According to a report by Futurism, a feature has emerged within Grammarly allowing users to solicit feedback from a pool of both living and deceased experts. This revelation was highlighted by Verena Krebs, a professor from Germany, on March 1. She shared her experience on Bluesky, stating:

“As a non-native speaker writing primarily in English, I used to use it to check prepositions, point out too long/convoluted sentences etc. It now offers to summon colleagues both living and dead to ‘expert review’ the piece???”

Krebs specifically noted that Grammarly presented her with a review from David Abulafia, a historian who passed away in January and who had previously reviewed her first book. The feature has sparked outrage among academics, with many labeling it as “obscene” and “creepy.” Comments on platforms like LinkedIn expressed discontent, with one user describing the use of deceased scholars in AI reviews as “horrendous, ”while another called it “outrageous.”

Screenshot of Bluesky post about AI on Grammarly — Screenshot via Bluesky

This is not an isolated incident within the realm of artificial intelligence. For instance, Meta has developed a patent for an AI model that can take control of a deceased individual’s social media account, enabling interactions that mimic conversations with the deceased. This, too, has faced significant backlash across various online platforms.

Furthermore, the broader implications of AI-generated content are being scrutinized in numerous fields. Even Pope Leo XIV has cautioned members of the clergy against employing AI to compose sermons, urging that artificial intelligence should not replace genuine human connections.

As AI continues to evolve and permeate various aspects of our lives, the ethical considerations surrounding its deployment—especially in sensitive areas such as posthumous representations—remain a critical topic of discussion.

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