The writing assistant company discontinued its 'Expert Review' feature that falsely attributed AI-generated suggestions to real authors and academics without consent.
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Grammarly shut down its AI-powered 'Expert Review' feature Wednesday following a class action lawsuit. The feature had been presenting editing suggestions as coming from established authors and academics without obtaining their consent. The lawsuit alleges the company misrepresented AI-generated content as human expert advice.
The controversy highlights growing legal risks for AI companies using real people's identities or work without permission. Grammarly's feature appeared to leverage the credibility of known writers and scholars to enhance user trust in its automated suggestions. This practice raises questions about consent, attribution, and transparency in AI systems.
Grammarly has not disclosed specific financial details about the lawsuit or potential damages. The company serves millions of users globally and has raised over $200 million in funding since its founding. The Expert Review feature was part of Grammarly's premium AI offerings that compete with ChatGPT and other writing assistants.
The shutdown could impact user retention and premium subscription revenue as Grammarly removes a key differentiating feature. Other AI companies may face similar legal challenges if they use real people's names or work without explicit permission. The case may set precedent for how AI systems can reference human expertise.