It seems ChatGPT has suffered an “AI hallucination” about my novel-writing escapades.

Have you heard of AI hallucinations? When researching for my forthcoming novella, All the Humans are Sleeping, I came across the term. It refers to the phenomena wherein artificial intelligence produces bizarre outputs.

IANS Research says AI hallucinations “are a feature, not a bug.”

One such example of this feature emerged when I asked ChatGPT what it knew about the author John C.A. Manley.

Here’s what it had to say about me:

“John C.A. Manley is a Canadian author known for his work in the thriller and mystery genres. He has written several novels, including The Republic of Jack and Guantanamo’s Child.”

I’ve never written a mystery. And while Much Ado About Corona has elements of the thriller genre, it would probably disappoint most James Patterson fans.

Guantanamo’s Child was not written by me, but rather Canadian reporter, Michelle Shephard (who recently released a film with the intriguing title The Man Who Stole Einstein’s Brain). 

The Republic of Jack is written by Jeff Kerr who makes the admirable claim on his about page that “I will write until I die and might not quit even then.” 

The rest of ChatGPT’s output isn’t so hallucinatory (at least, I’d like to think so):

“John C.A. Manley’s novels are known for their fast-paced plots, complex characters, and thought-provoking themes. He has received praise for his ability to weave together suspenseful narratives with timely social and political commentary.”

I ended up having a chat with ChatGPT about these bizarre claims, pointing out who actually authored those books, and how I wrote Much Ado About Corona instead.

Programmed for politeness, ChatGPT promptly apologized and admitted its mistake.

Two days later, I tried again, asking the AI know-it-all what it knew about author John C.A. Manley (never revealing my identity).

Response 2.0:

“John C.A. Manley is known as a Canadian author and journalist. He has written articles and books on various topics, including politics, economics, health, and more. One of his notable works is the book Much Ado About Corona, which delves into the COVID-19 pandemic and related issues. Manley’s writing often explores alternative perspectives and critical analysis of mainstream narratives. Additionally, he may be known for his contributions to independent media outlets and alternative news sources.

“As of my last update, I don’t have specific details about John C.A. Manley’s book Much Ado About Corona. However, based on the title, it’s likely that the book explores various aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including its origins, impact on society, government responses, and related controversies.

“Given Manley’s background as a journalist and author known for offering alternative perspectives and critical analysis, it’s possible that Much Ado About Corona presents viewpoints or arguments that challenge mainstream narratives surrounding the pandemic.”

Not a bad testimonial… for an AI algorithm. Hopefully, with its next update, they’ll let ChatGPT read Much Ado About Corona.

John C. A. Manley is the author of the full-length novel, Much Ado About Corona: A Dystopian Love Story. He is currently working on All the Humans Are Sleeping. John lives in Stratford, Ontario, with his son Jonah, and the ever-present spirit of his late wife, Nicole. You can subscribe to his email newsletter for a free preview of his latest novel and to be alerted about the release of All the Humans Are Sleeping.