‘Digital cosplay’: Melania Trump’s AI book narration ridiculed
Melania Trump’s decision to use an AI-generated version of herself to narrate her memoir has been slammed online, with many questioning whether she actually wrote the book.
The US first lady described using AI for the audiobook of her self-titled autobiography, Melania: A Memoir, as “the future of publishing” when she announced the move on X last week.
“I am honoured to bring you Melania – The AI Audiobook – narrated entirely using artificial intelligence in my own voice,” Melania wrote in a post on X, along with a futuristic video.
“Let the future of publishing begin.”
But the assessment from many social media users was less than positive.
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“An AI Melania reading Melania’s memoir? That’s a disconnection wrapped in digital cosplay,” posted Wall Street investment banker Evaristus Odinikaeze.
“Who really believes that Melania can write a book, let alone read it?” he added.
“Well, considering she probably didn’t write it herself, it makes sense she doesn’t want to read it!” said another.
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The posts follow discussions last year on forums, including Reddi,t about whether Melania used ChatGTP, or a similar AI program, to write her book.
“Overuse of participle clauses really sets my AI Geiger counter crackling these days,” one Reddit user, who is also a teacher, commented shortly after the text version of the book was released.
“Instant red flag when I read student work and they’ve never used a comma correctly with pen and paper in class, but suddenly their essays and stories (typed up at home) are full of ‘This happened, causing this in turn’ or ‘I felt this, leading me to act like that’,” he added.
The 182-page written version of the 55-year-old’s memoir was published in October last year, a day before the US election that returned her husband, Donald, to the White House for a second presidential term.
It tells the story of her youth in Slovenia and her journey into the world of high fashion, as well as her meeting with, and marriage to, Trump.
Melania also shared “stories and images never before shared with the public” from her early years, home life and time in the White House as first lady.
The book received a lukewarm reception at the time. The New York Times described it as a “brazen whitewash of a presidency … slim and full of obfuscations”.
“Melania Trump’s new memoir offers a few new glimpses into a life she has carefully walled off from the public, but readers hoping to understand one of the most mysterious first ladies in modern history will not make it past the gilded front gate,” wrote White House correspondent Katie Rogers.
While the normal hardcover version of the book went on sale for US$40 ($62), a “collector’s edition” was released soon after with a whopping price tag of US$250 ($387).
Signed by Melania, the deluxe version of the book includes a “digital collectible” and pictures – including one of her and Donald Trump on their first date and others she captured while her husband was in office.
“Ha Ha Ha – The grift never ends. It just evolving to become lazy grift!” X user Peter the Borr commented after the release of the AI audiobook.
