Hidden Airtag Reveals Amazon Destroys Rare Books for AI Training

Evidence has emerged suggesting that Amazon is among the companies acquiring large quantities of rare books, only to destroy them after scanning their pages to train artificial intelligence models. Booksellers have long suspected this practice, but concrete proof remained elusive until recently.

A report by 404 Media detailed how a bookseller agreed to place an Airtag tracker inside a rare book that was part of a bulk order. This tracker was subsequently located at an Amazon AI training facility in Las Vegas. According to the report, a team at this facility was observed removing book spines and scanning pages.

Adding to the controversy, a logo on a door at the facility reportedly depicted a Tyrannosaurus rex preparing to devour a book, a symbol that critics have deemed tone-deaf given the escalating backlash against such destructive scanning practices.

Amazon has declined to provide specific comments on these findings, issuing a general statement previously provided to other media outlets that does not directly address the AI training aspect. The company's involvement raises broader ethical questions about the methods employed in the pursuit of advanced AI capabilities and the potential destruction of cultural artifacts.