Indian Public Library Faces Anti-Corruption Probe Over Alleged AI-Generated Books
A newly opened library in Tamil Nadu, India, is under investigation for stocking shelves with potentially AI-generated books purchased at high prices.
The Periyar Arivulagam library in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu has become the subject of an anti-corruption investigation just days after its opening. The probe was triggered by accusations from internationally recognized Tamil novelist Perumal Murugan, who claimed that up to 1,800 books purchased by the library may have been partially or wholly generated using artificial intelligence.
According to TechRadar, citing BBC reporting, the books were purchased from a single publisher at unusually high prices. Many reportedly contained false information, suspicious author names, and questionable International Standard Book Numbers (ISBN). The library, built at a cost of 3 billion rupees ($34 million), opened on October 16.
Tamil Nadu's School Education Minister A Rajmohan stated that if the accusations are true, it could be "India's first AI scam." The state government has blamed the previous administration for the purchases, an allegation denied by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam party. Over 160 writers, researchers, artists, and publishers have signed a statement calling for an independent inquiry and a public release of procurement records.