Ben Touati started working as a freelance writer for ClickOut Media in early 2024. In early 2026, he was told he was being fired. The reason? Esports Insider, a site connected to ClickOut, had been de-indexed by Google. Touati’s time with the company was over, or so he thought.
By late May 2026, Touati made a surprising discovery. ClickOut Media was still publishing articles under his name. But these weren’t his work. The content was generated by AI. Touati called the articles lazy and sloppy. He said, “The five articles were just like lazy, obviously slop, obviously there’s not a real person that is behind that.”
He described the situation as a “slap in the face.” His name was being used without his involvement or approval. This raised questions about digital privacy and the ethics of AI-generated content. Touati took action under the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation. He filed a claim against ClickOut for misusing his personal information.
ClickOut Media responded with a statement. They said, “We use AI-assisted content where appropriate in tandem with human checks and edits.” But the fact remained that Touati’s name had appeared on AI-written articles after his firing. Eventually, the articles under his name were removed. They were replaced with different authors’ names.
AI in Media and the Film Industry Backlash
Meanwhile, AI-generated content is pushing boundaries in other areas too. An AI-generated actor named Tilly Norwood is set to star in a new comedy. This project is described as a ‘hybrid’ human-AI produced film. It has sparked backlash across the film industry. Some creators worry about AI taking over creative roles traditionally held by humans.
The film featuring Tilly Norwood was reported on July 7, 2026. It reveals how AI is moving into entertainment and raising ethical questions. The mix of human and AI work is unsettling for many artists. They fear it could change the industry in ways they can’t control.
Wider Industry and Environmental Issues
This wave of AI use comes as other tech giants face scrutiny. Microsoft’s carbon emissions jumped 25 percent last year. This increase worries those tracking tech’s environmental impact. Meanwhile, on Canada Day in 2026, some areas received 167 millimeters of rain during a severe storm. It was a reminder that environmental issues remain urgent even as tech evolves.
ClickOut Media’s situation is a warning for companies using AI. Using someone’s name on AI-written content without consent crosses a line. Touati’s case shows the risks of blending AI with human work without clear rules. One comment summed it up simply: “It could happen again.”
As AI grows in media and entertainment, the questions around ethics, privacy, and accountability will only get louder. Ben Touati’s experience is just one example of the challenges ahead.
Based on
- Journalist Alarmed When He’s Fired, But Company Keeps Posting AI Slop Under His Name — futurism.com
- CTV National News: ‘Hybrid’ human-AI produced film garnering backlash from film industry – CTVNews — ctvnews.ca
- In an era of ‘baddies,’ companies are racing to keep up with the influencer economy — ctvnews.ca
- Reddit’s AI conundrum. | The Verge — theverge.com
