The New York Times Severs Ties with Freelancer Over AI-Generated Book Review Plagiarism
The New York Times has officially cut ties with freelance journalist and author Alex Preston after an internal investigation revealed he used artificial intelligence to assist in writing a book review that contained significant, unattributed similarities to a previously published review in the Guardian. This incident highlights growing concerns about the ethical use of AI in journalism and the integrity of editorial standards.
Discovery and Investigation
The controversy began when an alert New York Times reader noticed striking parallels between the paper's January review of Watching Over Her by Jean-Baptiste Andrea, authored by Preston, and an August review of the same book written by Christobel Kent for the Guardian. Upon being notified, the New York Times promptly launched a thorough investigation into the matter.
During the inquiry, Preston admitted to using an AI tool to help draft his review and confessed that he failed to identify and remove sections that were directly lifted from the Guardian's piece before submission. In response, the New York Times added a prominent editor's note to the online version of the review, acknowledging the use of AI and linking to the original Guardian article.
The editor's note stated, "A reader recently alerted the Times that this review included language and details similar to those in a review of the same book published in the Guardian. We spoke to the author of this piece, a freelancer reviewer, who told us he used an AI tool that incorporated material from the Guardian review into his draft, which he failed to identify and remove. His reliance on AI and his use of unattributed work by another writer are a clear violation of the Times's standards."
Specific Examples of Overlap
The similarities between the two reviews were not subtle. For instance, the Guardian described a character as "lazy Machiavellian Stefano," while the New York Times version rendered it as "lazy, Machiavellian Stefano." More egregiously, the concluding assessment of the novel showed clear parallels.
The Guardian review praised the book as "most significantly a song of love to a country of contradictions, battered, war-torn, divided, misguided and miraculous: an Italy where life is costume and the performance of art, and where circuses spring up on wasteland." In contrast, the New York Times review stated the characters "populate what is ultimately a love song to a country of contradictions: battered, divided, misguided and miraculous. This is an Italy where life is performance, where circuses rise on wasteland."
Preston's Response and Consequences
In a statement to the Guardian, Preston expressed profound regret, saying, "I made a serious mistake in using an AI tool on a draft review I had written, and I failed to identify and remove overlapping language from another review that the AI dropped in. I am hugely embarrassed by what happened and truly sorry. I took responsibility immediately and apologised to the New York Times, and I also want to apologise to Christobel Kent and to the Guardian."
A spokesperson for the New York Times confirmed that Preston would no longer contribute to the publication. Preston had written six reviews for the paper between 2021 and 2026, but he assured the Times that he had not used AI in any of his other articles. Beyond his journalistic work, Preston is a six-time author, with his latest book, A Stranger in Corfu, published in February, and serves as the head of advisory at investment management firm Man Group.
Ironically, earlier this year, Preston authored an article for the Man Group site titled The AI Bubble: Hidden Risks and Opportunities, underscoring the complex relationship between professionals and emerging AI technologies.
Broader Implications for Journalism
This incident raises critical questions about the role of AI in creative and journalistic endeavors. While AI tools can enhance productivity, they also pose significant risks regarding plagiarism and the erosion of original thought. The New York Times' swift action underscores its commitment to maintaining high editorial standards and protecting intellectual property.
As news organizations increasingly grapple with the integration of AI, this case serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of human oversight, ethical guidelines, and rigorous fact-checking processes to prevent similar breaches in the future.
