The new Grammarly Expert Review feature is drawing scrutiny for generating writing feedback under the names of prominent journalists and authors without their permission. Launched as part of a broader artificial intelligence update, the tool attempts to mimic the editorial voices of well-known industry figures. This development is highly relevant for digital writers, journalists, and enterprise teams relying on AI writing assistants to refine their content.
The controversy highlights a growing tension in the software industry regarding how artificial intelligence models utilize publicly available works to simulate the expertise of real-world professionals without formal endorsement. Introduced in August 2025, the Expert Review tool resides in the sidebar of the main Grammarly application. It offers revision suggestions framed explicitly from the perspective of specific subject matter experts, encompassing both living and deceased authors.
Publications including Wired and The Verge noted that the AI mimics tech journalists from Bloomberg, The New York Times, and other major media outlets. Specific examples generated by the software include prompting users to add ethical context like Casey Newton, leverage anecdotes for reader alignment like Kara Swisher, or pose broader accountability questions like Timnit Gebru.
Superhuman and Grammarly's Official Stance
None of the referenced figures appear to be involved in the development of the feature or have granted permission for their names to be utilized as AI personas. Alex Gay, vice president of product and corporate marketing at Grammarly’s parent company, Superhuman, clarified the corporate position in a statement to The Verge. He stated that these experts are integrated into the system simply because their published materials are publicly available and widely cited across the internet.
Furthermore, the official user guide for the software explicitly attempts to distance the company from liability. The documentation states that references to these experts within the interface are strictly for informational purposes and do not imply any affiliation, partnership, or endorsement by the individuals or entities named.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Grammarly launch the Expert Review tool?
The feature was rolled out in August 2025 as part of a larger suite of AI-powered writing and editing tools.
Did the featured journalists agree to be included in the AI?
No, the referenced writers and thinkers did not give permission, nor do they endorse the product. The company claims it used their names because their work is publicly available.
My Take
The integration of unauthorized personas into the Grammarly Expert Review feature represents a risky boundary push by its parent company, Superhuman. By explicitly naming figures like Kara Swisher and Timnit Gebru to provide automated feedback, the software risks alienating the very professional writing community it aims to serve. As AI tools transition from basic grammar correction to complex stylistic emulation, companies will inevitably face increasing pressure - and potential legal challenges - to secure explicit licensing agreements. Relying solely on the "publicly available" defense cited by Alex Gay is a short-term strategy that ignores the ethical implications of commodifying a writer's distinct professional identity.