An e-book streaming service that has promoted the ability to keep countless classic literature books for life at a low expense has sparked backlash after it was revealed to have used artificial intelligence (AI) technology for translation work.
According to the publishing industry on the 29th, the application (app) "Book Thief," which debuted on the market at the end of last year, is a platform that converts representative domestic and international classics whose copyright protection period has expired into e-books and provides them. If consumers pay just 19,800 won, they can read classic books like "Iliad" or "Gulliver's Travels" without limitation for life.
Even the books registered in this system so far number 730, and regular users are estimated at roughly 1,000. The company released a plan to raise the pass price to 49,000 won starting Aug. 1.
However, after the service launched, the speed at which books were added was excessively fast and awkward sentences were frequently found, deepening users' suspicions that the translations were done by AI rather than humans.
As inquiries poured in, the operator eventually admitted on the 25th via social media (SNS) that it had used AI. It added, however, "Using AI doesn't mean we slap things together," and said, "We meticulously polish and review everything through the collective intelligence of elite university students to produce work of the highest standard."
Despite this explanation, consumers pushed back, stressing that there had been no prior notice that AI was used. As criticism grew, the operator finally posted an apology and moved to put measures in place. They said they would accept applications and offer full refunds to all members who paid expense on or before July 27. In addition, they bowed their heads and said they would increase transparency by clearly stating in all information channels and provided content whether AI was used and what sentence review procedures were followed.