Historians Juan Pablo Fusi and Ricardo García Cárcel respond to criticism suggesting their new book potentially relied on AI due to its numerous typographical errors.
Juan Pablo Fusi, an emeritus professor of Contemporary History at the Complutense University of Madrid, and his co-author Ricardo García Cárcel have faced criticism for their book 'Vidas españolas. Razón biográfica de España' from José Luis García Martín. The criticism highlights an excessive number of typographical errors—over 500—which the reviewer claims signifies a reliance on Artificial Intelligence in the writing process. In response, Fusi expressed his unfamiliarity with AI technology, emphasizing that he does not know how to use it or its potential applications for writers.
'Vidas españolas. Razón biográfica de España', published by Taurus, presents 51 brief biographies analyzed with a focus on historical perspectives from the sixteenth to the twentieth centuries. The book aims to go beyond the traditional reductionist views of Spanish history, providing a more nuanced understanding of its figures and contexts. This objective highlights the authors' commitment to historical accuracy and meaningful representation, contrasting sharply with the review's suggestion that technological tools undermined their work.
The context of this criticism raises important questions about the role of AI in the literary and academic fields. As reliance on AI technologies increases, concerns about authenticity and error rates in academic writing grow. The controversy surrounding Fusi and García Cárcel's work reflects broader debates on ethical standards in literature and history, and it underscores the necessity for writers and historians to navigate the challenges posed by emerging technologies without compromising the integrity of their research and writing.
