In a surprising development, the Tamil Nadu government has ordered an internal audit of library collections across the state following allegations that hundreds of books suspected of being generated using Artificial Intelligence (AI) were purchased by a public library in Coimbatore. The Madras High Court has initiated an investigation into these claims, with the state's anti-corruption agency examining the purchases and freezing bank accounts linked to a publisher accused of supplying the books.
The controversy erupted after Tamil novelist Perumal Murugan raised concerns about questionable authorship and false information in books at the newly opened library in Coimbatore. The state's School Education Minister, A Rajmohan, has described the allegations as potentially "India's first AI scam" and stated that the investigation would cover purchases at other public libraries across Tamil Nadu.
The case centers on the Periyar Arivulagam library, a mega library built at a cost of about 3 billion rupees ($34 million; £26 million) and inaugurated by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay in October. Murugan, whose novels have received international recognition, alleged that nearly 1,800 books in its Tamil section were supplied by a little-known publisher called Agal Vilakku Pathippagam. He claimed many of the books contained unfamiliar authors' names, unusually high prices, and questionable International Standard Book Numbers (ISBNs).
The controversy has raised wider questions about the growing use of AI in publishing and the challenges libraries face in checking the authenticity of books as AI-generated content becomes more widespread. The state government has ordered an internal audit of public library collections, with preliminary checks already raising concerns about the authenticity and quality of books at some libraries, including the historic Connemara Public Library in Chennai city. The investigation continues amid political controversy, with the DMK party denying allegations and calling for an independent inquiry into the purchases.