AI-Generated Books on ADHD Raise Concerns on Amazon
Amazon is facing criticism for selling books about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) that appear to be authored by artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots like ChatGPT. These books, marketed as expert guides for managing ADHD, have raised alarms among experts who warn they may contain dangerous misinformation.
The online retailer’s marketplace has been flooded with AI-generated content that is cheap and easy to publish, including books on sensitive topics like health and wellness. Experts describe the current state of online marketplaces as a ‘wild west’ due to the lack of regulation around AI-produced work.
Experts Warn of Potential Harm
Michael Cook, a computer science researcher at King’s College London, expressed frustration at seeing AI-authored books on digital marketplaces, particularly on health and medical topics. ‘Generative AI systems like ChatGPT may have been trained on medical textbooks and articles, but they’ve also been trained on pseudoscience, conspiracy theories, and fiction,’ Cook said.
Prof Shannon Vallor, director of the University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Technomoral Futures, emphasized that Amazon has an ethical responsibility to prevent harm to its customers and society. While it’s unrealistic to expect booksellers to vet every book, Vallor noted that the lack of meaningful consequences for enabling harm fuels a ‘race to the bottom.’
Real-Life Consequences
Richard Wordsworth, who received an adult ADHD diagnosis, was given a book bought from Amazon that turned out to be AI-generated. The book contained historical inaccuracies, random anecdotes, and potentially harmful advice. Wordsworth and his father were ‘upset’ upon discovering the book’s true nature, warning that desperate individuals could be misled by such content.
Amazon’s Response
An Amazon spokesperson stated that the company has content guidelines in place and invests significant resources in detecting and removing non-compliant content, whether AI-generated or not. Amazon continues to enhance its protections against such content as the publishing landscape evolves.
The issue highlights the need for greater regulation and oversight in the publishing industry, particularly concerning AI-generated content on sensitive topics. As the situation stands, consumers must remain vigilant when purchasing self-help books online, especially those related to health conditions like ADHD.
