Parents push back on AI-made children’s books starring their kids

In short: More families are seeing AI-generated “personalized” children’s books as gifts, and many parents say the books are low quality and raise privacy worries.

What's going on

Some grandparents, relatives, and friends are buying or making children’s books created with AI (computer systems that generate text and images). These books often insert a real child into the story by using the child’s name, likeness, or traits. Parents say they are increasingly receiving these as birthday and holiday gifts.

In one Reddit post quoted by WIRED, a parent said they repeatedly told a family member not to upload photos or use identifying details, but the relative still tried to make an AI book that resembled the child and used family first names. Several parents interviewed by WIRED said their kids were not interested in the books, even when the story was supposed to be “about them.” One father said the books were too long and wordy, and his children quickly asked to return to familiar favorites.

A researcher, Daozhi Xu of Macquarie University, told WIRED that personalizing a book does not guarantee a child will like it. She said AI-made books often have basic problems like spelling mistakes, confusing plots, and pictures that do not match the words. She also raised concerns about transparency, meaning parents may not know how a child’s photos are stored, shared, or reused by the companies making these books.

What to watch

This trend is growing at a time when reading skills and reading at home are already under pressure in the US. Parents may start asking harder questions about consent and data privacy, especially when a gift involves uploading a child’s photo (like handing a stranger a copy of your family album).

Source: Wired