Grammarly Is Facing a Class Action Lawsuit Over Its AI ‘Expert Review’ Feature

Grammarly, the popular writing assistant developed by Superhuman, is currently embroiled in a class action lawsuit concerning its AI tool known as the “Expert Review” feature. The lawsuit, filed in the Southern District of New York, claims that the tool presented editing suggestions attributed to well-known authors and academics without their consent. This has raised significant ethical and legal questions about the use of artificial intelligence in content creation.

Background of the Lawsuit

The lawsuit was initiated by Julia Angwin, an award-winning investigative journalist and founder of The Markup, a nonprofit news organization that examines the impact of technology on society. Angwin is the only named plaintiff in the case, which does not specify a monetary amount for damages but asserts that the total damages for the plaintiff class exceed $5 million.

Grammarly’s “Expert Review” feature was designed to provide users with editing suggestions from established figures in the literary and academic world, including prominent names like Stephen King and Neil deGrasse Tyson. However, these individuals were not consulted or informed about their names being used in this context.

Details of the Complaint

The federal complaint outlines that Angwin, representing herself and others similarly situated, challenges Grammarly’s alleged misappropriation of the names and identities of hundreds of professionals to generate profits for the company. The lawsuit emphasizes that such actions violate long-standing laws in New York and California that prohibit the commercial use of a person’s name and likeness without their permission.

According to Angwin’s attorney, Peter Romer-Friedman, the case is straightforward from a legal perspective. He states, “Legally, we think it’s a pretty straightforward case. More broadly, one of the reasons why we’re filing this case is, you know, we can see what’s happening in our society: that lots of professionals who spend years, or in Julia’s case decades, honing a skill or a trade, then see that their name or their skills are being appropriated by others without their consent.”

Grammarly’s Response

In response to the backlash and the lawsuit, Superhuman has decided to discontinue the “Expert Review” feature. Ailian Gan, the director of product management at Superhuman, stated, “After careful consideration, we have decided to disable Expert Review as we reimagine the feature to make it more useful for users, while giving experts real control over how they want to be represented—or not represented at all.”

Superhuman CEO Shishir Mehrotra expressed that the claims in the lawsuit are “without merit” and that the company will defend against them vigorously. He acknowledged the need for a better approach in bringing experts onto their platform, promising to develop a version that would provide more benefits to both users and experts.

Public Backlash and Ethical Concerns

The introduction of the “Expert Review” feature was met with significant criticism from various writers and journalists who felt that their likenesses and reputations were being exploited without their consent. Many expressed frustration at the idea of AI tools regurgitating their work or opinions without any direct involvement or endorsement.

Angwin herself was taken aback when she discovered Grammarly’s use of her name. She remarked, “You know, deepfakes are something I always think celebrities are getting caught up in, not regular journalists. I was just like, are you kidding me?”

Furthermore, Angwin criticized the quality of the advice attributed to her digital representation, stating that it was not only inaccurate but also detrimental. She provided examples where the suggestions made by the AI tool complicated simple sentences and introduced irrelevant themes, ultimately leading to a decline in the clarity of the text.

Future Implications

This lawsuit highlights the growing concerns surrounding the ethical use of AI in content creation and the potential for misuse of individuals’ identities. As AI technology continues to evolve, it is imperative for companies to navigate the legal landscape carefully and ensure that they are not infringing on the rights of individuals.

Grammarly’s situation serves as a cautionary tale for other tech companies that may be considering similar features. The backlash they have faced underscores the importance of transparency, consent, and ethical considerations in the development and deployment of AI tools.

Frequently Asked Questions

Note: The situation surrounding the lawsuit is ongoing, and further developments may arise as both parties respond to the claims and public scrutiny.