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38
“The Thing We Were Worried About”: Author Notices Something Off With ‘2025 Summer Reading List’
Artificial intelligence can be a helpful aide or a destructive tool, depending on how you use it. ChatGPT, for example, can provide fact-checked data and creative ideas within seconds. However, its ability to write full-length pieces has also become a cause for concern.
New York Times bestselling author Jason Pargin recently discussed a problematic situation involving AI writing tools. In a recent TikTok post, he brought up a recent article featuring a “summer reading list for 2025.”
The issue? The piece was a machine-fabricated article that fooled many people. Scroll through to read more of this story.
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Generative AI tools like ChatGPT have become a prominent part of today’s digital age
Image credits: Barry / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
However, the cracks in the system are also beginning to show, as pointed out by author and novelist Jason Pargin
Image credits: jasonkpargin
In a recent TikTok post, Pargin mentioned an AI-written article filled with fake information
Image credits: jasonkpargin
He gave specific examples while also naming the author who published the erroneous piece
Pargin went on to mention a primary issue with tools like ChatGPT
Image credits: brackenmacleod.bsky.social
Image credits: Viralyft / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
While also calling for responsible use and accountability
Image credits: jasonkpargin
You can watch his full video post below
@jasonkpargin♬ original sound – Jason Pargin, author
Generative AI has been a problem in contemporary society since its development in 2022
The misuse of generative AI tools like ChatGPT is the main point of Pargin’s video, and publishing fake articles is just one of many minor issues that are part of a larger problem.
In recent years, it has also profoundly affected the education system. In late 2022, Stanford University polled its students and found that 17% used ChatGPT for homework assignments and exams, barely a month after its release.
And while 59% of the respondents only used the tool for brainstorming, outlining, and forming ideas, 29% admitted to answering multiple-choice questions with it. 7.3% of students didn’t bother to edit their submitted written material, aided by ChatGPT.
Some educators have urged action due to the potential drawbacks of misusing generative AI tools. In 2023, New York City’s Department of Education banned ChatGPT for teachers and students.
Image credits: Solen Feyissa / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Education department spokesperson Jenna Lyle stated, “It does not build critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, which are essential for academic and lifelong success.”
Ultimately, it’s all about using AI responsibly, and it begins by recognizing it for what it is. Harvard Business School professor Tsedal Neeley describes artificial intelligence tools as “invisible” because they run in the background of other technologies, and users aren’t aware of them.
At the same time, Neeley says AI tools are inscrutable because even their developers fail to understand how each model reaches an outcome.
As a solution, Neeley urges careful scrutiny with an “appropriate level of skepticism.”
“Leaders should exercise careful judgment in determining when and how it’s appropriate to use AI, and they should document when and how AI is being used,” Neeley wrote in an article for HBR.org.
Pargin pointed out that users who misuse AI must be accountable for their costly errors, especially when disseminating information.
Commenters didn’t hold back with their reactions
The Chicago Sun-Times later stated they were investigating the case
Image credits: chicago.suntimes.com
But they nonetheless received some backlash
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What do you think ?
G A 7 months ago (edited)
It looks bloody bad if career journalists write fake articles that are unchecked at any level. Feeds the MAGA crowd on the trustworthiness of real life journalists.
SpiderWoman13 7 months ago
What annoys me is that there are qualified, excellent writers out there scrunting for the job that he just willynilly throws to AI - and doesn't even BOTHER to fact check before hitting that PUBLISH button. WTAUF???? The article wasn't a hard one.
Load More Replies...
Linden 7 months ago
I was recently editing a publication and we rejected a submitted article because it was AI-generated and cited research that didn't exist. It didn't take much checking to find the problem. It made up research papers with citations and references. A lot of the author names were real researchers.
Royal Stray 7 months ago
If a journalist uses AI for anything other than spellcheck they should be fired. Why is anyone paying you when you're just using AI to do your entire job anyway
GettingCereal 7 months ago
I learned very quickly, basically the first time I was going to use it for an article on the urging of my supervisor, that Chat got is very limited in use for journalism. I do use it now, but more like "can you find a source for this information" kind of stuff. I actually wouldn't trust it with spellcheck.
Load More Replies...
Tabitha 7 months ago
I do not trust AI, at least as it exists now. Maybe in the future it will be better, but right now it’s still in its infancy, should still be in development and research instead of released to the public, and it should be strictly regulated but it isn’t. So we’re getting the AI Cowboys releasing all manner of fake c**p that people cannot distinguish from reality being released and potentially believed by those who are so willing to believe anything they’re told, especially if it confirms their biases. I know there are those who are banking on that, to keep their money and power. That cannot be allowed to continue, as it will be a huge chore to purge the b******t and only leave the truth.
Rafael 7 months ago (edited)
It is funny to se Jason Pargin (aka David Wong) featured here on BP in any form, because he was the main columnist at C*****d before zombification. BP fills the void C*****d left in my daily reading, but the actual writing is so sanitized that I just ignore the text and read mostly comments. EDIT *racke* are the letters BP stole. The censored word was Crácked, a website that on its heyday was awesome, and now is dead but walking.
Jane Marcus 7 months ago
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ElfVibratorGlitter 7 months ago
I use AI as a tool but usually there's something that needs to be corrected. Even yesterday I was using chatgbt to look up some data and it told me I was 3 weeks pregnant, which...no, I've known for 3 weeks.
G A 7 months ago (edited)
It looks bloody bad if career journalists write fake articles that are unchecked at any level. Feeds the MAGA crowd on the trustworthiness of real life journalists.
SpiderWoman13 7 months ago
What annoys me is that there are qualified, excellent writers out there scrunting for the job that he just willynilly throws to AI - and doesn't even BOTHER to fact check before hitting that PUBLISH button. WTAUF???? The article wasn't a hard one.
Load More Replies... Linden 7 months ago
I was recently editing a publication and we rejected a submitted article because it was AI-generated and cited research that didn't exist. It didn't take much checking to find the problem. It made up research papers with citations and references. A lot of the author names were real researchers.
Royal Stray 7 months ago
If a journalist uses AI for anything other than spellcheck they should be fired. Why is anyone paying you when you're just using AI to do your entire job anyway
GettingCereal 7 months ago
I learned very quickly, basically the first time I was going to use it for an article on the urging of my supervisor, that Chat got is very limited in use for journalism. I do use it now, but more like "can you find a source for this information" kind of stuff. I actually wouldn't trust it with spellcheck.
Load More Replies... Tabitha 7 months ago
I do not trust AI, at least as it exists now. Maybe in the future it will be better, but right now it’s still in its infancy, should still be in development and research instead of released to the public, and it should be strictly regulated but it isn’t. So we’re getting the AI Cowboys releasing all manner of fake c**p that people cannot distinguish from reality being released and potentially believed by those who are so willing to believe anything they’re told, especially if it confirms their biases. I know there are those who are banking on that, to keep their money and power. That cannot be allowed to continue, as it will be a huge chore to purge the b******t and only leave the truth.
Rafael 7 months ago (edited)
It is funny to se Jason Pargin (aka David Wong) featured here on BP in any form, because he was the main columnist at C*****d before zombification. BP fills the void C*****d left in my daily reading, but the actual writing is so sanitized that I just ignore the text and read mostly comments. EDIT *racke* are the letters BP stole. The censored word was Crácked, a website that on its heyday was awesome, and now is dead but walking.
Jane Marcus 7 months ago
THE BLACK MIRROR IS POWERFUL. Who could believe that I would be rich someday? but Baba Powers made it possible with the black mirror which I purchased from him. Thanks to him because the black mirror reveals the secrets, unlock the power. I came across various testimonials which state how the black mirror has been of good and great help to them. I also contacted Baba Powers on his email; Babablackmirrors@gmail.com to also experience it for myself. I am really happy to get the black mirror. Thank you Baba Powers for your special black mirror. You can also view his website and you will see amazing testimonies from people that he has helped. His website is; Babablackmirrorsofpowers.blogspot.com I urge you now to contact him and you will never regret it.
ElfVibratorGlitter 7 months ago
I use AI as a tool but usually there's something that needs to be corrected. Even yesterday I was using chatgbt to look up some data and it told me I was 3 weeks pregnant, which...no, I've known for 3 weeks.
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