Storytelling Is Holy. Don't Feed Kids AI Slop
11 days ago
- #AI ethics
- #children's literature
- #folktales
- Tomie dePaola's 'Strega Nona' tells the story of a magical pasta pot and the chaos that ensues when Big Anthony misuses it.
- The tale of 'Strega Nona' has roots in various folktales like 'Sweet Porridge' and 'The Sorcerer’s Apprentice,' emphasizing lessons about responsibility and misuse of power.
- DePaola viewed folktales as a way to pass on life’s lessons without moralizing, respecting children's intelligence and avoiding propaganda.
- The rise of AI-generated children’s books, termed 'slop,' raises concerns about quality, child development, and the devaluation of human creativity.
- AI-generated content often infringes on copyrights, using artists' work without permission, leading to legal and ethical dilemmas.
- Generative AI has environmental costs, including high water and electricity usage by data centers, impacting local communities.
- AI lacks the human experience and emotional depth needed to create meaningful stories that resonate with children.
- The unchecked growth of AI poses risks to human creativity, livelihoods, and ethical storytelling, urging discernment in its use.