AI Companies Are Buying Rare Books, Scanning Them for Training Data, Then Shredding Them
Multiple AI companies are buying rare books, scanning them for training data, then shredding the originals — including irreplaceable texts.
A White House science policy document titled "Science: A New Golden Age" proposes redirecting billions in federal research funding away from universities and toward tech companies focused on AI development, per a Reddit r/artificial discussion of the blueprint.
The proposal would mark a fundamental restructuring of how American research dollars are allocated — shifting away from the academic institutions that have historically anchored basic science and toward the corporate sector now leading AI advancement.
Critics cited in the discussion warn that the approach creates a problematic feedback loop: the same companies building AI systems would also gain increasing control over the fundamental research agenda that shapes the field's direction.
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Multiple AI companies are buying rare books, scanning them for training data, then shredding the originals — including irreplaceable texts.
Adam Mosseri says Instagram no longer requires engineers to code 40–60% of the time and has scrapped the traditional technical interview loop.
Sam Altman says AI won't shorten the workweek because humans enjoy staying busy and will just create more work to fill the time.