Major Publications Retract AI-Generated Articles by Fake Journalist Margaux Blanchard
Multiple news organisations, including Wired and Business Insider, removed articles submitted under the name Margaux Blanchard after discovering they were AI-generated. The fake byline was used to publish fiction with unverifiable sources across at least six publications in the US and UK before being exposed by Press Gazette in August 2025.
What happened
At least six publications including Wired and Business Insider removed articles submitted under the byline Margaux Blanchard after discovering they were AI-generated. Wired published an article in May titled 'They Fell in Love Playing Minecraft. Then the Game Became Their Wedding Venue' featuring a quoted source named Jessica Hu, whose identity could not be verified.
Business Insider published two first-person essays by Blanchard in April: 'Remote work has been the best thing for me as a parent but the worst as a person' and 'I had my first kid at 45. I'm financially stable and have years of life experience to guide me.' The articles were removed after Press Gazette alerted the outlet to their authenticity. Jacob Furedi, editor of Dispatch, received a pitch from Blanchard regarding a rural Colorado training ground for death investigations, which he determined did not exist.
Reported impact
Business Insider stated in a message that the essays 'didn't meet Business Insider's standards' and said the outlet had 'bolstered verification protocols' in response. Wired acknowledged that the AI-generated article 'got through' its editorial review despite the outlet's stated ability to catch such submissions.
Index analysis
The AI system was used to generate fictional articles with fabricated sources and unverifiable details, including names of people who could not be confirmed to exist. The submissions quoted specific individuals and included circumstances presented as factual reporting.
Governance controls
Wired's editorial leadership determined the Minecraft wedding article did not meet its editorial standards and removed it after additional review. Business Insider bolstered its verification protocols following the incident.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.