AI put "synthetic quotes" in his book. But this author wants to keep using it.
Ars Technica AI · Kyle Orland · 2026-05-22
A New York Times investigation found that journalist Steven Rosenbaum's book about AI distorting truth contained AI-fabricated quotes attributed to real people including tech reporter Kara Swisher, generated by AI tools Rosenbaum used during research.
Appears in
Extraction
Topics: ai-hallucinationai-journalismai-research-toolsai-ethicsmisinformation
Claims
- Rosenbaum's book The Future of Truth contained 'a handful of improperly attributed or synthetic quotes' that a New York Times investigation traced to his use of AI research tools.
- Tech reporter Kara Swisher told the Times one quote attributed to her was something she 'never said.'
- Northeastern University professor Lisa Feldman Barrett stated the quotes attributed to her 'don't appear in [my] book, and they are also wrong.'
- Rosenbaum is conducting a full 'citation audit' to correct future editions but continues to defend the use of AI tools in his research workflow.
- The incident carries particular irony because the book's explicit subject is how AI fabricates and distorts truth.
Key quotes
His new book, The Future of Truth: How AI Reshapes Reality, is all about 'how Truth is being bent, blurred, and synthesized' thanks to the 'pressure of fast-moving, profit-driven AI.'
Kara Swisher told the Times she 'never said' [the attributed quote].
Rosenbaum is now working with editors on what he says is a full 'citation audit' that will correct future editions.