Mississippi Free Press Unknowingly Published an AI-Written Column by a Fake Author

The Mississippi Free Press published an opinion column on April 7 before discovering it was AI-generated and its supposed author was entirely fictional — fake name, fake headshot, fake social media profiles, and a résumé linking to a company whose editor had already caught the same person running the same con. The ruse only unraveled when the phantom columnist submitted an invoice that didn't match their name.

Further digging revealed a "raft" of similar AI-generated submissions from other fake authors, apparently originating outside the country — none of which were published. The outlet has since pulled three additional queued columns showing similar red flags, and is now working on a formal AI policy, staff training, and tighter vetting. As for AI detectors: the editor notes they're not very reliable, which is a fun problem to have when the fakes are getting better every day.