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‘Life or Death:’ AI-Generated Mushroom Foraging Books Are All Over Amazon (www.404media.co)

submitted 1 year ago by trashhalo@beehaw.org to c/technology@beehaw.org

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Many mushroom identification and foraging books being sold on Amazon are likely generated by AI with no human authorship. These books could provide dangerous misinformation and potentially lead to deaths if people eat poisonous mushrooms based on the AI's inaccurate descriptions. Two New York mushroom societies have warned about the risks of AI-generated foraging guides. Experts note that safely identifying wild mushrooms requires careful research and experience that an AI system does not have. Amazon has since removed some books flagged as AI-generated, but more may exist. Detecting AI-generated books and authors can be difficult as the systems can fabricate author bios and images. Relying on multiple credible sources, as well as guidance from local foraging groups, is advised for safely pursuing mushroom foraging.

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[–] liv@beehaw.org 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Thanks, interesting. I'm glad America gives everyone dialysis too. I live in a country with universal healthcare, so I sort of skimmed over the cost aspect because that wouldn't be an issue here.

It is more the physical, quality-of-life-ruining aspects that give me the horror. I read an article once where a family of 4 all had severe permanent kidney damage from eating the wrong mushrooms.