AI's new danger is 'fake reading,' making people think they've read without actually doing so

The advent of generative artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude is profoundly altering human reading habits, posing an unprecedented crisis for literacy. These AI models can rapidly process and synthesize information from vast document collections, far exceeding human capabilities. They can answer complex questions, summarize texts, and analyze literary elements in seconds, diminishing the incentive for individuals to engage in deep reading.

AI companies are actively building massive datasets by acquiring and scanning millions of books. Anthropic, for instance, has been secretly involved in a "Panama Project" since 2024, purchasing used books, scanning them, and then discarding them. This practice, revealed through copyright lawsuits, allows AI to "read" and store the content of most published books, enabling them to respond to virtually any user request.

“

AI makes it feel like you've read, even without reading.

This technological shift has led to a significant decline in reading rates. In South Korea, the adult reading rate for at least one book per year has fallen to a record low of 28.8%. Simultaneously, there's a surge in the publication of books focused on "literacy," with titles related to the topic increasing dramatically. This paradox highlights a growing concern that while AI can provide information, it may be replacing the critical thinking and analytical skills developed through human reading.

Experts warn of "cognitive outsourcing," where individuals increasingly rely on AI for tasks previously requiring human thought and interpretation. The concept of literacy itself is evolving, expanding from basic comprehension to include the ability to discern fake news and critically evaluate AI-generated content. The new danger, termed "fake reading" by some, is the illusion of knowledge created by AI, where users can appear well-read without the actual effort of reading, further challenging the future of human intellect.

“

The AI is at the level of completely replacing thinking itself, not just weakening thinking.