Subscribe now

Technology

Death of an Author review: Murder mystery generated by AI isn't awful

Stephen Marche worked with ChatGPT and other AI tools to craft this thriller. The prose is plodding and the final twist leans heavily on a Sherlock Holmes story – but this is an interesting experiment

By Boyd Tonkin

15 May 2023

New Scientist Default Image

Death of an Author is a murder mystery with 95 per cent of its content generated by machine

Death of an Author

Pushkin (ebook and audiobook only)

How do we put the “art” into artificial intelligence? Does the generative power of the mighty tools now at our disposal threaten human creativity? The breakneck evolution of AI large language models, with GPT-4 in the vanguard, has stirred the passionate curiosity of humanists as much as scientists.

Canadian writer and journalist Stephen Marche, working with audio production company Pushkin Industries, aims to move …

To continue reading, subscribe today with our introductory offers

View introductory offers

No commitment, cancel anytime*

Offer ends 14th June 2023.

*Cancel anytime within 14 days of payment to receive a refund on unserved issues.

Inclusive of applicable taxes (VAT)

or

Existing subscribers

Sign in to your account