54 Comments
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Tina Hedin's avatar

So sorry to hear about this. It’s horrible, heartbreaking and extremely discouraging. ☹️

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Toby Neal's avatar

Thank you for chiming in. A dark day indeed.

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Ruth  H's avatar

You are not the first I've heard from about AI. I have not ventured into AI other that what happens automatically on some sites. I resent it. I hate it for you and all the others who have been swallowed into the maw of AI. Get on the lawsuit, do as an individual, do whatever you can, this is not right, it is stealing your work. Now I've got to figure is anything of mine is in there. I know all my genealogy work has spread throughout the web but I had not considered AI in that as my work was spread before WWW and further with it. A password hint with any of my family or dog names is not safe, it is easily found. Time to put a stop to internet theft.

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Toby Neal's avatar

Yay, you...and me! Let's fight!

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Monica Jamison's avatar

Toby, I've always been very skeptical of the advance/proliferation of AI technology. And what you and other authors are experiencing is the downfall of our human civilization. We are becoming more obsolete every minute. The rise of the machines is real, scary, and dangerous to our world as we know it. Politics aside, we are all expendable. Please fight by joining the lawsuit, regardless of the futility you, and the rest if us by default, are feeling. Monica Jamison 👍

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Toby Neal's avatar

Yes indeed, I will fight this!

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Joyce Osborn's avatar

Gosh! I’m so sorry this has happened to you! I was really excited to hear about all the things possible with AI, but never thought it through as to how AI became so powerful - by stealing others hard work! I hope you’re able to at least get some kind of recompense after all is said and done. I’ve read all of the Paradise Crime series and the Wired series and really enjoy your books since my husband and I have been very fond memories of our trips to Hawaii.

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Toby Neal's avatar

Thanks for the kind words! Hopefully through activism we get some laws in place to protect original work.

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Benny L Mullinax's avatar

AI is the same as hackers/scammers/phising bots to me. Sorry you are affected.

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Toby Neal's avatar

It's a little worse, because our work is used to make stuff we then have to compete with. :(

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Liz Pelletier's avatar

So sorry this happened. Will be sure to buy from your site.

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Toby Neal's avatar

Bless you dear lady, it means a lot!

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Dot's avatar

Artificial Intelligence, indeed! Horrible situations caused by horrible people allowed to run amok. We see that a lot these days.

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Toby Neal's avatar

So true!

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kathie delucca's avatar

Absolutely unbelievable. I don't know how this could happen and hope there is some way to stop it.

I have been purchasing the last several books directly from you and will continue.

How disheartening. Good luck.

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Toby Neal's avatar

thank you, Kathie!

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Sally's avatar

Unfortunately, I think this is only the beginning. AI may be good for some things, but it is devastating for creators and good for unscrupulous parties. I'm sorry you were caught up in this mess.

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Toby Neal's avatar

Yep....:(

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gary maher's avatar

Th is is the 3rd email I have been sent today about this and it is a disgrace and should not be allowed.they are crooks for a better word and can't get by with there own ability . they are just down right crooks and I hope that you can stop them

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Cindy Dupre's avatar

Ugh! So very sorry to read this. It seems copyright laws don't mean a thing. I ran into this with my photography being used without my permission. I sure hope you can get it resolved and with fair compensation.

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Camille Taylor's avatar

Terrible, it’s as if AI is trying to kill all creativity.

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Toby Neal's avatar

😢😢😢

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Marilyn Budewig's avatar

I’m horrified and shocked with you so sorry this happened to you

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Toby Neal's avatar

Many thanks… it’s a tough time for creators.

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Susan Lilly's avatar

Im training myself to look for creators' web sites. Your tale reinforces my determination.

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Toby Neal's avatar

Thank you! 🙏🏻

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Chris Chicalace's avatar

What is wrong with this world? Where did integrity and character go? I want them back.

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Toby Neal's avatar

Me too!

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AQUAHOLIC's avatar

The ugly side of pirating & AI.... sigh. This has been happening to many artists, photographers, musicians, etc. for years. Their life's work is stolen, reproduced and downloaded into AI software, used without permission or credit... leaving little recourse for the creatives. So sorry to hear you're a victim too.

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Toby Neal's avatar

It's been a disintegration over the last year or two, very observable and devastating to making a living.

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