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When I first encountered “Floral Whispers: Coloring Book for Women,” I couldn’t help but notice something off about the black-and-white drawings. At first glance, the book seemed to be filled with beautiful women adorned with flowers, but upon closer inspection, I noticed peculiarities like elongated fingers and incorrect body proportions. This $7.95 paperback by an unknown author named “Der Vive” seemed suspiciously like it was generated by artificial intelligence. After our article was published, the book and others by the seller were removed from Amazon.
The infiltration of easily accessible artificial intelligence into e-commerce platforms such as Amazon and Etsy is changing the way we shop and consume products. Now, AI-generated self-help books, mugs, wall art, and coloring books are flooding the market. These products, created by third-party sellers who are not obligated to disclose the AI involvement, can be difficult to identify at a glance. This proliferation of scam products adds to the confusion of online shopping, putting consumers at risk of purchasing low-quality items or inadvertently undermining the livelihoods of real artists.
Henry Ajder, a renowned researcher and expert on generative AI and deepfakes, aptly describes this phenomenon as a “grift.” He compares it to practices that have been prevalent for a long time, such as stealing artwork or plagiarizing books. In this case, people are utilizing AI to replicate and profit from creative works.
While some consumers may find the novelty and uncanny strangeness of AI-generated art appealing, there are risks associated with purchasing these products. In cases where AI’s involvement is not obvious or desired, consumers may fall victim to scams, fraudulent practices, and even potential harm. Sellers often use AI to minimize costs and time, capitalizing on popular categories of goods for easy profit.
One of the pressing concerns surrounding AI-generated content revolves around copyright and intellectual property issues. The most popular generative AI tools have been trained on copyrighted images and writing scraped from the internet without compensating or crediting the original creators. This lack of attribution and payment poses significant challenges for artists, writers, and photographers.
AI can even be used to impersonate specific creatives, further complicating matters. Several image generators have been utilized to produce art in the style of established artists, essentially profiting off their brand without their consent. Author Jane Friedman encountered multiple books published on Amazon that used her name and mimicked her writing style—a clear indication of AI impersonation.
Incorrect information becomes a concern, especially when it comes to books. Amazon recently removed a guide on foraging for mushrooms, suspected of being generated by AI, that could potentially have provided misleading advice about edible and poisonous varieties.
The accuracy problem associated with AI-generated products is a real issue. Textual AI is not optimized to generate truth but instead focuses on creating compelling text. Ravit Dotan, an AI ethics researcher and adviser, emphasizes this concern.
To address the concerns surrounding AI-generated products, the regulatory landscape needs to undergo significant changes. Currently, major e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Etsy do not ban AI-generated content and do not require labeling or disclosure. The companies behind the AI tools used to create these products are also not obligated to label them.
The Authors Guild, a prominent organization representing numerous authors, urges legislation that mandates disclosure when a book is written by AI. Mary Rasenberger, CEO of the Authors Guild, believes it is crucial for consumer protection and to preserve the market for human creative works.
While AI cannot be held off indefinitely, Rasenberger believes that it can be a useful tool for writers if regulated, licensed, and designed to benefit creators. Amazon recently implemented a requirement for self-published books using Kindle Direct Publishing to disclose if they are AI-generated, but this information is not currently displayed to consumers—highlighting the risks consumers face.
Etsy has no rules against selling products made primarily with AI but assures customers that these products are subject to the same quality standards as other listings. Walmart did not provide a comment on the matter.
Various tech organizations are also working to develop tools that can identify AI-generated output. For instance, Google is creating an invisible watermarking tool that aims to detect AI-generated content.
For now, consumers must rely on their detective skills to determine whether a product is AI-generated or genuine. Given the prevalence of knockoffs and poor-quality options in online marketplaces, this is not a new challenge. Examining product images closely, observing backgrounds, scrutinizing details like hands, ears, and eyes in art, and checking the authenticity of book descriptions and author presence online can help identify potential AI involvement.
While legislation and labeling requirements are not yet in place, responsible shopping practices and awareness of the risks associated with AI-generated products are key to making informed purchases in the evolving landscape of e-commerce.
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