The ‘Obscenity’ of Dead Scholars’ Writing: Grammarly’s New AI Tool and the Future of Composition

In 2026, Grammarly’s new AI writing tool has been criticized for being ‘obscene,’ sparking controversy. The tool mimics the writing style of deceased scholars to provide feedback, raising ethical and legal concerns and posing fundamental questions about the nature of writing itself. This article delves into the technological innovation of Grammarly and its associated social and ethical implications, considering the tool’s potential impact on the future of writing.

The Ethical Dilemma of AI Writing: Borrowing the Voices of the Past to Shape the Future

Grammarly’s provocative move isn’t just about technological advancement; it raises fundamental questions about the nature of writing, copyright, and the use of deceased voices. As reported by Decrypt and Time, the tool operates by analyzing the works of deceased scholars to mimic their style, vocabulary, and even thought processes. This raises ethical concerns and legal disputes, sparking a broader societal conversation about how we should utilize ‘data’ as a resource, alongside the positive aspects of technological progress.

Copyright Infringement Concerns and Privacy Protection

The first issue raised is copyright infringement. The unauthorized analysis and imitation of a deceased person’s work clearly constitutes copyright infringement and carries a high risk of legal disputes. Furthermore, the tool’s collection and analysis of personal information about the deceased raises concerns about privacy protection. The Time article criticized the tool as ‘violating the souls of the dead,’ emphasizing the ethical limits of technological advancement.

The Future of AI Writing: What is the Meaning of Creativity?

These controversies raise a larger question about the future of AI writing. Can AI replace human creative activity? Is writing generated by AI truly ‘creative’? Grammarly’s tool demonstrates that AI can not only correct grammatical errors but also mimic and reproduce human writing styles. This poses a fundamental question about the essence of writing and calls for a reassessment of the meaning of human creative activity.

Technical Implementation and Potential Risks

Grammarly’s technology is remarkably sophisticated. Using deep learning algorithms, the tool analyzes the works of the deceased and learns their characteristics to generate similar texts. However, this technology also carries potential risks. The writing generated by AI lacks human emotion or experience and can sometimes produce unnatural or nonsensical results. Furthermore, AI-generated writing can be easily replicated and disseminated, potentially undermining the credibility of information and causing social disruption.