AI's Need for Content Has Put Rare-Book Dealers in a Bind
2026-08-22
The Wall Street Journal
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AI companies, including Anthropic, have been purchasing and destroying rare and antique books to scan them for training large language models. This practice, reported in the US and UK, has led to the loss of irreplaceable cultural artifacts and raised concerns over intellectual property rights and cultural heritage destruction.[AI generated]
Why's our monitor labelling this an incident or hazard?
The article explicitly links the bulk buying and destruction of rare books to the training of large language models, which are AI systems. The harm is realized and ongoing: rare books are being destroyed, which harms cultural heritage and communities. The AI system's use is pivotal in causing this harm, as the books are purchased specifically for AI training purposes. This fits the definition of an AI Incident because the AI system's use has directly led to harm to communities and property (cultural artifacts).[AI generated]