The Chicago Sun-Times is under heavy fire this week after it published a summer reading list packed with fake book titles, some attributed to well-known authors like Isabel Allende and Andy Weir. The kicker? The content was generated using artificial intelligence (AI)—without any fact-checking. Yeah, you read that right.
This blunder happened in the May 18, 2025 edition of the paper as part of a glossy “Heat Index” summer insert, which listed dozens of books supposedly perfect for beachside reading. Except many of those books—like Tidewater Dreams by Allende and The Last Algorithm by Weir—don’t actually exist.
Let’s dig into what went wrong, why it’s a wake-up call for newsrooms, and what this says about AI’s growing (and risky) role in journalism.
Chicago Sun-Times Faces Backlash
| Detail | Summary |
|---|---|
| What Happened | The Chicago Sun-Times published a 64-page summer insert with a reading list that included AI-generated fictional books. |
| Who’s Responsible | Freelance writer Marco Buscaglia, working via King Features Syndicate, admitted using AI tools like ChatGPT and not verifying the info. |
| Big Names Affected | Falsely attributed books to Isabel Allende, Andy Weir, Luis Alberto Urrea, among others. |
| Newspaper’s Reaction | The Sun-Times pulled the digital version, blamed third-party syndication, and promised policy reviews. |
| Industry Fallout | King Features fired Buscaglia and vowed to prevent further AI-related slip-ups. |
The Chicago Sun-Times AI book list scandal is more than just an embarrassing misstep. It’s a warning to the entire media industry: If you’re going to use AI, do it responsibly. No shortcuts. No assumptions. And never without a human hand on the wheel.
Journalism is about trust. And when that trust is broken—even by a summer reading list—it can take years to rebuild. Let’s hope this mess sparks smarter use of AI, better editorial standards, and more transparency for everyone—because the future of media depends on it.
How It All Unfolded: A Summer List Gone Sour
It started out simple enough—a list of good reads for the summer. Think breezy fiction, page-turners, and beachside vibes. But readers quickly noticed something fishy.
A handful of titles seemed… well, made up. Social media users were the first to spot the weirdness. One tweet read:
“I love Andy Weir, but I’m pretty sure The Last Algorithm isn’t a thing…”
It didn’t take long before folks started googling the titles—and finding nothing. No listings on Amazon. No mentions on the authors’ official sites. Nada.
Turns out, the list had been generated with the help of ChatGPT or similar AI tools by freelance writer Marco Buscaglia, who was contracted through King Features Syndicate (a division of Hearst). And he didn’t verify the information before submitting.
In his own words?
“Stupidly, and 100% on me, I just kind of republished this list that [an AI program] spit out.”
What Is King Features Syndicate—and Why Were They Involved?
King Features is a content syndicator. Basically, they provide articles and features to dozens of newspapers across the U.S. The Chicago Sun-Times wasn’t alone in running the fake list. The Philadelphia Inquirer also included it in a Sunday edition.
This adds a deeper layer to the story: It wasn’t just one paper getting it wrong—it was multiple reputable outlets that trusted the content was sound.
King Features has since dropped Buscaglia, stating he violated policy by using AI without disclosure or editorial oversight.
Why This Matters: Journalism in the Age of AI
This incident is a textbook case of how AI-generated content can go rogue when there’s no human fact-checking involved. While tools like ChatGPT are excellent at brainstorming and summarizing, they often hallucinate—producing realistic-sounding but completely false information.
That’s exactly what happened here.
Journalists and editors have to vet everything—especially when using generative AI. You can’t just copy-paste and expect it to fly, especially in print, where errors live forever in physical form.
This blunder wasn’t just embarrassing. It was a breach of trust with readers.
Sun-Times’ Response: We Didn’t Approve This
The Chicago Sun-Times moved quickly to distance itself from the mess, saying the content didn’t come from their newsroom. In an official statement, they clarified:
“The syndicated content… was not reviewed, edited, or approved by the Sun-Times editorial team. We have since removed the digital version and are reassessing our syndication policies.”
You can read the full statement here.
They’re now reviewing editorial standards and are expected to implement new guidelines for third-party content, especially when AI is involved.
What’s the Big Deal About Fake Books?
You might be wondering, “Okay, so they listed a couple of books that don’t exist. What’s the big deal?”
Here’s the scoop:
- Attribution matters. Falsely attaching names like Isabel Allende or Andy Weir to nonexistent work can hurt reputations.
- Trust is everything. Newspapers are supposed to provide verified, accurate information.
- Legal risk. If an author or publisher wanted to sue for defamation or misrepresentation, this could get messy.
- AI credibility hit. This kind of blunder undermines the responsible use of AI in journalism.
The Broader Issue: Media Literacy and AI Oversight
This isn’t the first—and won’t be the last—AI-related screw-up in media.
AI is being used more than ever in content creation. From financial news to weather forecasts, it’s creeping into every corner of journalism. But the lack of oversight and proper disclosure is what gets outlets into trouble.
Experts say we’re entering a new phase where “co-pilot” AI can help—but shouldn’t lead the editorial process.
“AI is a tool, not a journalist,” said Andrew McGill, a tech policy researcher. “You still need a human in the loop.”
What Readers Should Take Away
If you’re a regular news reader (or a parent picking up the Sunday paper), here’s what you should keep in mind:
- Be skeptical of viral content—even if it looks polished.
- Verify strange claims. A quick Google search can help confirm if a book or quote is real.
- Look for transparency. Credible outlets now disclose if a piece was AI-assisted.
And if you’re working in media or publishing? Double-check everything AI writes. No exceptions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Was the Chicago Sun-Times article written entirely by AI?
A: No, the content was created by freelance writer Marco Buscaglia, who used AI tools like ChatGPT without verifying the output. The Sun-Times published the piece as syndicated content.
Q2: Which authors were falsely included?
A: Fake books were attributed to Isabel Allende, Andy Weir, Luis Alberto Urrea, and others. None of the listed titles actually exist.
Q3: What action did King Features take?
A: King Features terminated their relationship with Buscaglia and is reviewing how AI tools are used in their editorial process.
Q4: Can AI generate real books or content?
A: AI can generate text, but it doesn’t fact-check. Many tools “hallucinate,” producing made-up titles, names, or events. Human oversight is essential.
Q5: Will this impact how newspapers use AI?
A: Yes. More outlets will likely tighten editorial policies around AI-generated content and require full disclosure.
