Key points
- HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster and Hachette are implicated in the reports.
- Large language models are used for publicity, cover art and back-cover text.
- Dozens of staff members provided information to Wired about these practices.
Employees at three major publishing houses have reported that artificial intelligence is being used to create marketing materials without author consent. Wired gathered accounts from dozens of staff members at HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster and Hachette regarding these unauthorised practices.
What happened
Staff members at HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster and Hachette told Wired that large language models are being deployed for various marketing tasks. These tools are used to generate back-cover copy, create cover art and produce publicity materials. The reports indicate that these activities occur without the explicit consent of the authors whose work is being promoted. According to the Wired report by Adam Morgan, dozens of employees shared these details about the internal processes at the three publishers. The use of AI for these creative and promotional elements appears to be a quiet practice within the organisations.
Why it matters
The reports highlight that AI is being used for marketing tasks without author consent. This lack of consent raises concerns about how publishers handle author rights and creative input. The involvement of major industry players like HarperCollins and Hachette suggests the practice may be significant. Staff members are bringing these issues to light, indicating internal awareness of the current methods. The Wired report serves as the primary source for these allegations regarding unauthorised AI use.
What happens next
- Authors may seek clarity on AI usage in their publishing agreements.
- Publishers might address staff concerns regarding consent for AI-generated content.
- Industry observers may monitor for further reports on AI practices in publishing.
- Staff members could continue to share information about internal marketing processes.
What to do and how to stay safe: HarperCollins
- Review publishing contracts for clauses regarding artificial intelligence usage in marketing.
- Request written confirmation from publishers about how promotional materials are created.
- Monitor industry news for updates on consent standards and author rights.
- Discuss AI usage policies with legal counsel before signing new publishing agreements.
Step-by-step guide: Shadow AI usage: how to control unmanaged model access in your firm
General security guidance from the AppSec Scoop newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.
Frequently asked questions
Which publishers are accused of using AI without consent?
HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster and Hachette are the three publishers named in the reports by staff members.
What specific tasks are AI tools being used for?
Large language models are reportedly used for creating back-cover copy, cover art and publicity materials for books.
Did authors give permission for this AI usage?
According to the staff reports, the AI-generated materials were created without the consent of the authors.
