The Chicago Sun-Times is under fire after readers discovered that its May 18th print edition included AI-generated content alongside real reporting in a special summer activities section. The publication’s seasonal guide — which featured book recommendations, food trends, and outdoor activities — included fabricated books, fake experts, and citations of people and publications that don’t exist.
Among the misleading entries were non-existent titles attributed to well-known authors. Readers found books like Nightshade Market, allegedly by Min Jin Lee, and Boiling Point by Rebecca Makkai — neither of which are real. Both authors are acclaimed writers, but they never published the works listed.
The errors extended beyond fiction. A feature on hammock culture, credited to Marco Buscaglia, quoted nonexistent experts such as “Dr. Jennifer Campos, professor of leisure studies at the University of Colorado,” and referenced reports and articles that couldn’t be verified, including a supposedly published Outside magazine piece and a market analysis by Eagles Nest Outfitters. Another article on summer food trends quoted a fictitious “Dr. Catherine Furst, food anthropologist at Cornell University,” and misattributed a quote to Padma Lakshmi.
Buscaglia later admitted to using AI to assist with background material and issued a public apology, stating, “This time, I did not [check it], and I can’t believe I missed it… No excuses. On me 100 percent and I’m completely embarrassed.”
AI-Generated Content in Newspapers Raises New Ethical Questions
The Sun-Times acknowledged the issue on Bluesky, stating that the content was not produced or approved by its newsroom and that it was “looking into how this made it into print.” A statement on its website clarified the summer guide was licensed from a national content partner, later identified by 404 Media as Hearst, a large media conglomerate.
While the cover of the section bore the Sun-Times logo and appeared to be part of the paper’s editorial product, the publisher confirmed that the section would be removed from digital editions and that new policies are being developed to ensure third-party content meets its editorial standards and is clearly labeled in the future.
The incident adds to a growing list of controversies involving AI-generated content in newspapers, echoing earlier scandals at Gannett and Sports Illustrated, where third-party marketing firms were blamed for publishing “AI sludge” alongside real journalism. Although these outlets distanced themselves from the content, the blending of AI-written material with staff-reported stories has undermined reader trust and raised fresh concerns about quality control in modern newsrooms.
Victor Lim, senior director of audience development at the Sun-Times, noted in an email to The Verge, “It is unacceptable for any content we provide to our readers to be inaccurate,” and said more details would be shared as their review continued.
As more publishers experiment with AI tools — often in pursuit of efficiency or cost reduction — critics argue that the real cost is credibility. When fabricated information finds its way into trusted media outlets, even through licensing deals, the public’s trust in journalism takes another hit.
