Microsoft Publishes Garbled AI Article Calling Tragically Deceased NBA Player "Useless"

Former NBA player Brandon Hunter, who played for the Boston Celtics and Orlando Magic, unexpectedly passed away earlier this week. He had a brief NBA career spanning two seasons, during which he participated in 67 games. Following his basketball career, he pursued coaching, real estate, and sports management roles. When the news broke earlier this week, a seemingly AI-generated article called Hunter “useless” in its headline. 

The article had many issues, including telling readers that Hunter “handed away” and “performed in 67 video games.” Condemnation for the piece was swift. “AI should not be writing obituaries… pay your damn writers,” wrote one reader. This is not the first time Microsoft has posted AI-generated content on MSN, previously making headlines for a travel guide to Ottowa, Canada, which was deleted after criticism was posted.

For more information see Victor Tangermann “Microsoft Pulishes Garbled AI Article Calling Tragically Deceased NBA Player ‘Useless’” Futurism, September 14, 2023.

Special thanks to Lewis Saret (Attorney, Washington, D.C.) for bringing this article to my attention.