Chicago Sun-Times scandal: Wrong books on summer reading list!

Chicago Sun-Times scandal: Wrong books on summer reading list!

On May 22, 2025, the Chicago Sun-Times published a 2025 summer reading list that caused a stir. The list included recommendations for 15 authors, but only five of the novels listed actually exist. The rest of the titles advertised turned out to be fictional, including at least ten fake books attributed to real authors. The newspaper said it had hired a content supplier called King Features, which hired a freelancer to create the content.

Marco Buscaglia, the freelancer, used an AI agent to generate the book recommendations. The Chicago Sun-Times admitted that this section was published without prior editorial review, which led to the controversy. Buscaglia regretted the incident and took responsibility for the error after King Features parted ways with him. The impact of using AI in journalism has been described by ArsTechnica as “confabulation,” a phenomenon in which AI passes off false information as true.

The list of recommendations

The summer reading list included some prominent names, like Isabel Allende and Andy Weir, who were credited with titles like “Tidewater Dreams” and “The Last Algorithm.” But these books do not exist and were created by the AI ​​system. The truth came to light when a review revealed that only five of the fifteen recommended books, including works by real authors such as Françoise Sagan and Ray Bradbury, were actually published.

The list was a clear mistake and highlighted the dangers associated with using AI for editorial content. According to Buscaglia, he usually used AI for research, but this time he did not check the content for accuracy. He expressed disappointment over the incident and noted that such mistakes must be avoided.

Reactions to the controversy

On Tuesday morning, the Chicago Sun-Times responded to the controversies surrounding Bluesky. They said they were investigating how the incorrect information got into print. The newspaper's official publication account emphasized that this is not editorial content and that these suggestions have not been approved by the editorial team.

The incidents raise questions about the responsible use of AI in journalism. The Chicago Sun-Times' mistake is seen as a learning moment for journalistic organizations that are increasingly turning to digital technologies to create content. While AI offers many opportunities, the need for human verification remains essential to prevent the spread of misinformation.

Going forward, the media industry is expected to remain vigilant and critically examine the implementation of AI applications to avoid similar faux pas and maintain the integrity of journalism.

For more information about this incident, read the detailed coverage of Leadersnet and ArsTechnica.