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Dave Eggers dismisses AI novels as 'gullible and ridiculous'

opinion-review · 2026-07-18

Author Dave Eggers has criticized the adoption of AI in novel writing, calling it 'gullible and ridiculous' and expressing frustration with constant technological change. In an interview, he noted that San Francisco remains fundamentally the same 'hippie town' it always was, despite tech industry shifts. Eggers, known for works like 'The Circle' and 'A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius,' has been vocal about the impact of technology on society. His comments come amid growing debate over AI-generated literature and its reception by readers and critics.

Key facts

  • Dave Eggers called AI novels 'gullible and ridiculous'
  • Eggers expressed frustration with constant adoption of new technologies
  • He said San Francisco is the same 'hippie town' it was
  • Eggers is the author of 'The Circle' and 'A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius'
  • The interview was published by the Financial Times
  • Eggers has been critical of technology's impact on society
  • The debate over AI-generated literature is ongoing
  • Eggers' comments reflect skepticism about AI in creative fields

Entities

Artists

  • Dave Eggers

Institutions

  • Financial Times

Locations

  • San Francisco
  • United States

Sources