How books are being scanned and destroyed to train artificial intelligence • FRANCE 24 English
Millions of physical books are being digitized and subsequently destroyed to train artificial intelligence models. This controversial practice, investigated by France 2, raises concerns about the potential disappearance of many rare second-hand books. The process involves scanning books for AI training, leading to their destruction, and sparking debate over the preservation of physical literary works in the age of AI development.
This report from France 2 is one of the few to investigate the physical destruction of books during the AI training digitization process, unlike most reports that focus on copyright.
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PublishedOffset at this time: UTC+0Oct 16, 2026, 09:32 UTC
IngestedOffset at this time: UTC+0Oct 16, 2026, 17:00 UTC
- Published
- Oct 16, 2026, 09:32
- Ingested
- Oct 16, 2026, 17:00
- Source type
- Unclassified
- Source status
- Healthy
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To train artificial intelligence models, millions of physical books are being digitised and destroyed. Our colleagues at France 2 investigate this controversial practice and the risk of seeing many rare second-hand books disappear forever. #AI #books #Amazon
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