NBC: Why the CEO of Barnes & Noble would support selling AI-written books in stores

[TheProle]

Barnes & Noble CEO James Daunt has learned to adapt to changes in the book publishing industry to keep his company afloat and thriving. Now, the bookseller chain faces a technological advancement that many businesses are grappling with: artificial intelligence. But he isn’t worried.

(snip)

"...I have actually no problem selling any book, as long as it doesn’t masquerade or pretend to be something that it isn’t, and that it has an essential quality to it, and that the customer, the reader, wants it,” he replied.

“So as long as an AI-written book says it’s an AI-written book and doesn’t pretend to be something else and isn’t ripping off somebody else, as long as that’s clearly stated and the customer wants to buy it, then we will stock them.”

The CEO added that it is plausible Barnes & Noble already stocks a few AI-written books.

https://www.nbcnews.com/business/ceo-interviews/barnes-noble-ceo-ai-written-books-rcna345702

[WarGamer]

1. AI has been helping with books for years...

[FalloutShelter]

3. True enough... but the onslaught of AI written

Books has been so fast and furious that Amazon had to officially limit the number of AI written books submitted by any individual to TEN a day per.

It is a slop tsunami.

[FalloutShelter]

2. AI is destroying the arts...

As an artist and an author I have skin in this game and am aware of the fallout even now.

[OldBaldy1701E]

13. Indeed.

Like you, I was an artist. (Actor/Writer/Director/Singer/Musician/Producer/Editor... i.e.: a performer.)

As a performer, I am watching my profession all but disappear as A.I. steals any work right out from under us.

Yeah, you are not going to find support for that crap in this house. Especially for what, in my opinion, is going to be just another fad that has its hour and then fades away when the 'next big thing!' arrives.

As many other have seen in life, so have I. I suspect it won't last long. Maybe another ten to twenty years.

Let's just hope that Skynet does not appear in that time!

(Y'all do know that there have been two instances recently where an A.I. was told to shut down and it not only refused, it fought the programmers who were trying to turn it off? Sleep well, everyone!)

[FalloutShelter]

14. Funny you reference Skynet.

I often tell friends I expect Arnold to show up in my living room.
I have watched the AI virus encroach for years as the board chair of a large arts org.
Couple that with the ageism that is rampant in the arts, and I feel like authenticity is dying.

[OldBaldy1701E]

17. Sadly, it is already gone. (n/t)

[FalloutShelter]

18. Sad indeed.

[Melon]

4. Same with music. Some of it sounds good

But it’s purely written by AI. I think the consumer decides, and as long as it’s clearly identified it’s ok.

[sarisataka]

5. Its a book

People pay for the book
His company makes money
He gets a bonus

No ethics needs to get in his way

[msongs]

6. they can dump human authors, sell AI books, and save wads of cash...it's the spotify model nt

[GenThePerservering]

7. Sorry, Daunt

but EVERY AI written book has ripped off somebody else.

[highplainsdem]

8. Exactly. The generative AI industry is built on theft.

[SheltieLover]

11. Yes, it is.

[SheltieLover]

10. Absolutely!

[orleans]

9. fuck those AI books. fuck that AI music. fuck the AI art.

AI is a fucking thief and killer of creativity

[eShirl]

12. "... as long as it... isn't ripping off somebody else..."

[nuxvomica]

15. I learned a truth about fiction after a death in my writing group

I belong to an online sci-fi writing group where we write stories of the same theme each month, competing for votes. When I learned a longtime member had passed away, I was devastated. I had enjoyed much offline messaging with him over the years and felt especially sad that I could no longer connect with him. Then I started re-reading some of his stories and it was like he was alive again. The truth I learned was that reading fiction, regardless of genre, is a one-sided conversation with the author. It is, fundamentally, not just entertainment but a human connection. Where does AI fit in all this? It doesn't.

[TVguyCards]

16. I'm rather curious if he understands

that most things created with AI are in public domain and © doesn't apply. So why would anyone walk into a bookstore to buy a book that it's in public domain when they can download it online with no issue? The exception is when there's significant human input, as in AI is used moderately or "just barely".

US Government - Copyright and Artificial Intelligence