Chat GPT vs Authors

Like many, I have been intrigued by the potential uses – and concerns – of the use of AI programs like ChatGPT and the illustration equivalent Dall.e.

Teachers are worried about their students using it to complete their homework / coursework / theses. Businesses are confused at whether these are a hindrance or a help to them. Creatives are asking questions about validity, copyright and bias.

There’s a lot of confusion, anxiety and panic surrounding AI, possibly because we all know one truth: it is here to stay.

I recently saw a video showing how ‘easy’ it is now to use AI to make a children’s book. They gave a story premise to Chat GPT and also asked it to create illustration prompts, which they plugged into Dall.e.?

They then uploaded the files to Kindle Direct Print (KDP) and a book was produced within 48 hours.?

Was it a well written? They didn’t show enough pages for me to judge, although the illustrations looked very suspect. Some of the faces were distorted, and the theme didn’t match with the words. My interest piqued, so I decided to see for myself what all the fuss was about.

I gave ChatGPT a similar premise as my picture book ‘My Family is So Scottish’ and watched – in somewhat awe – as verse after verse of a new rhyming story appeared on my screen at rapid pace. As the story emerged I started to think, is this the future?

And then I read it. (Check the video out here)

My first reaction was relief. Yes, the story made sense, and it rhymed. In fact I have, in my time as a parent of small children, read poorer published stories with worse scansion. But it was missing something – that important thing that connects readers to the story, that draws them in and makes them want to read it again – heart.

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So for now, I don’t personally feel threatened by AI. But could we be soon sharing the bookshelf with AI produced works? Will the gap between machine and human creations quickly become unnoticeable? And for now, how do we use it to support our craft – like generating writing prompts or exposing plot holes for example?

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Kirstin is a children’s book author and experience manager. Check out her books at www.sequoiapublishing.co.uk