Business Insider Did Something So Stupid With AI That We’re Reeling
Jun 03, 2025 - futurism.com
Business Insider (BI) is facing scrutiny as it pivots to AI, with past issues resurfacing, including a manager recommending seemingly AI-generated, fake books on a reading list intended to enhance understanding of business journalism. The list included well-known titles alongside fabricated ones, such as "Simply Target" and "The House of Morgan," which were found to be non-existent. One particularly egregious example was a supposed autobiography of Mark Zuckerberg by "Jasper Robin," an author with no verifiable existence. These incidents highlight concerns about BI's reliance on AI, especially as the company plans to lay off 21% of its workforce amid this transition.
BI CEO Barbara Peng acknowledged the challenges of embracing AI, noting the company's history of navigating disruption. However, the site's workforce has been steadily reduced, with recent layoffs following previous cuts and AI experiment announcements. The recommendation of unverified books by senior managers underscores the potential pitfalls of BI's AI-driven strategy, raising questions about the company's editorial integrity and decision-making processes.
Key takeaways:
Business Insider's pivot to AI has resurfaced past issues with AI-generated content, including fake book recommendations.
Some recommended books were fabricated, with no evidence of their existence, highlighting potential AI involvement.
Business Insider is undergoing significant workforce reductions, with 21 percent layoffs amid its AI transition.
The company's history of layoffs and AI experiments raises concerns about the reliability of its content and management decisions.
