Author Rebecca Solnit Found ‘Half’ Her Books in a Dataset Used to Develop AI

“It's just part of my ongoing horror at Silicon Valley,” the acclaimed writer said.

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By Shirin Ghaffary

October 5, 2023 at 8:00 PM UTC

Hi, it’s Shirin in San Francisco. The writers’ strike ended last week after studios agreed to some curbs on AI usage, but authors and artists outside Hollywood are struggling to gain similar protections. Plus: An interview with acclaimed Bay Area writer Rebecca Solnit on her “ongoing horror” with Silicon Valley after finding about half her books in a dataset used to develop AI systems. But first…

Three things to know: