Grammarly Discontinues AI Expert Review After Lawsuit Over Unauthorized Use of Names

Grammarly, owned by the tech company Superhuman, is facing a class action lawsuit after its AI-powered ‘Expert Review’ feature used the names and likenesses of authors, journalists, and other professionals without their consent. The tool, which has now been discontinued, presented editing suggestions as if they came from prominent figures such as Julia Angwin, Stephen King, and Neil deGrasse Tyson. Julia Angwin is the only named plaintiff, representing a class of individuals who claim that Grammarly misappropriated their identities for profit. The lawsuit argues that using people’s names and work without permission violates laws in New York and California, seeking damages exceeding $5 million. Angwin reported that the AI-generated advice was often inaccurate or counterproductive, highlighting ethical and practical concerns about AI-generated content. Superhuman executives have apologized and confirmed that the feature has been disabled while they reconsider how to safely and fairly implement expert-based AI suggestions. The case draws attention to broader issues around AI, privacy, and intellectual property, as technology companies increasingly leverage individuals’ identities to enhance AI outputs without proper consent.