United StatesMedia and entertainment2025Chicago Sun-Times (Chicago Public Media)
Licensed summer reading insert written with an AI agent
Sun-Times printed a reading list in May 2025 in which 10 of 15 books did not exist
Problem
A Sunday special section the paper licensed from an outside content partner listed 15 books. Ten of them do not exist.
Approach
The content partner said a freelancer used an AI agent to write the piece. The Sun-Times apologized on 20 May, said its newsroom had not approved the section, said it would update its policies and told subscribers they would not be charged for the premium edition.
Results
Takeaway
The Sun-Times said its newsroom had not approved the licensed section. The newsroom union said it was disturbed to see AI text beside its members' work.
Categories
- Industry
- Media and entertainment
- Business function
- Internal work and knowledge management
- Innovation type
- Product and service innovation
- AI technology
- Generative AI
- Adoption
- Vendor solution
- Goal
- Lower cost
- Evidence
- Press reporting
Sources
Source summaries
CBS News Chicago reported that 10 of 15 listed books were fake and that a freelancer used an AI agent. The Sun-Times apologized and said it would update its policies. The newsroom union expressed concern about AI text appearing beside its members' work.
Full details are in the original sources.
