The Guardian has accused Microsoft of tarnishing its journalistic image by displaying an AI-generated poll speculating on the reason for a woman's death next to a Guardian story.

The automated poll was released alongside a Guardian piece about the death of Lilie James, a 21-year-old water polo coach who was discovered dead with major head injuries at a Sydney school last week.

The poll, which was developed by an AI programme, questioned, "What do you think caused the woman's death?" Readers were then given three options: murder, accident, or suicide.

A reader suggested that one of the Guardian journalists bylined on the adjacent piece, who had nothing to do with the survey, be fired. Another person said: "This has to be the most pathetic, disgusting poll I've ever seen."

Anna Bateson, CEO of the Guardian Media Group, expressed her worries about the AI-generated poll in a letter to Microsoft President Brad Smith.