Young Adult Literature and Artificial Intelligence – What Do We Know? What Do We Need to Know?

Meet our Contributor: Jeff Kaplan

Jeffrey S. Kaplan, PhD is Associate Professor Emeritus, University of Central Florida, Orlando, and Senior Doctoral Chair/Methodologist, College of Doctoral Studies, Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, Arizona. Past-President of ALAN and Chair of NCTE Standing Committee on Censorship.

Young Adult Literature and Artificial Intelligence – What Do We Know? What Do We Need to Know? by Jeff Kaplan

In 1982, when I was a graduate student in at the University of Florida working on my doctoral degree, a colleague said to me, let me introduce you to something you need to know…

I looked at him askance.

“Word Perfect” he said.

“Word Perfect,” I replied. “What’s that?”

“Come here, I will show you…”
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I was working on my dissertation – a treatise on the effectiveness of reading strategies – and writing in longhand. Yellow legal pens. Bic pens. Scrawled up bunches of poorly written paragraphs. Jerry Seinfeld started the same way.

I followed him filled with curiosity.

He pointed me to what looked like a plastic box sitting on top of another plastic box. He handed me what I would later know to be a floppy disk – and said, “Insert this (pointing to the floppy disk) into this (a slot cut into the bottom plastic box).”

“Now flick this switch” – pointing to a what looked like a light switch on the side of the lower box.

I did.

The screen turned green, a moving ‘thing’ appeared, and began to blink.”

Now, he said, pointing to a keyboard resting on the table – type.

Baffled, I looked at him, the keyboard, and again, at him.
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Bemused, I began to type.

“Welcome to Word Perfect,” he said. “Just type and when you a ready, hit these keys – and everything you type will be saved. No more yellow legal pads. No more Bic pens. No more crumbled up pieces of paper. You can save what you have written and return when you are ready…Neat, no?”

“Really?”

“Really,” he responded.

That was 1982. Look how far we have come.
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A quick question to AI – Artificial Intelligence on Google Search – reveals…
WordPerfect was first released for MS-DOS on IBM PCs in November 1982. It was developed by Satellite Software International (SSI). While early development began around 1979 for Data General minicomputers, the widely known DOS version came out in late 1982.

When I was in graduate school, computers were the size of buildings and only a few people had permission to use them.

Now, computers fit in the palm of your hand and on your wrist – and practically everyone – with means – has one.

Times change. And with changing times – our lives become a testament to ingenuity, creativity, and of course, complexity. For in life’s contradictions, we learn to live, grow, and adapt.

And so has young adult literature.

The study of young adult literature is an evolving tale of adventure, romance, loss of innocence and the collusion of two competing ideas – original human thought and the dynamics of modern computation.

And now - artificial intelligence.

As with any new and imminent change, artificial intelligence is both transforming and revitalizing classroom instruction, academic research, and good books for adolescents.
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In classrooms, the use of artificial intelligence is quickly becoming a go-to tool to help teachers and students research ideas and lessons for improving their reading, writing, and understanding – from what to write about, what to read, and more importantly, -  about what young adult books are available for every conceivable genre and interest.

In colleges and universities, the use of artificial intelligence is helping teachers, researchers, and emerging scholars find new resources and avenues for the study of young adult literature. And for doctoral students, the use of artificial intelligence is helping the next generation of educational leaders write their dissertations – everything from suggesting research topics, outlining literature reviews, to refining their methodology and design.
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In publishing houses, the use of artificial intelligence is helping publishers, editor, agents, and authors discern what is working – and not working – in the acquisition, development, and dissemination – of young adult books – for readers who are eager to devour more stories with the favorite characters from beloved authors.

And for aspiring young adult authors and emerging readers, the question remains – will artificial intelligence become more real – than flesh and blood authors and readers?

Simply, will artificial intelligence make humans obsolete?

Will teens read only books generated by artificial intelligence?

Will classroom teachers be replaced by human-like robots?

Will doctoral students write dissertations solely written by artificial intelligence?

Will authors for young adults be replaced by computer novelists?

Only time will tell, but my best hunch is that the study of young adult literature is a complex phenomenon – which, like everything else – will continue to evolve – and begin to humanize artificial intelligence

Here is what we know…

AI as a Writing Tool in YA Literatur

Authors and publishers are keenly aware of AI tools – to generate story ideas, prompts, scenes, dialogue, and refine language for tone and readability. Most YA authors are using use AI as a co-creator – not a replacement. Authenticity is the key – and publishers are always looking for a voice that not only appeals to young readers – but rings true to their everyday experiences.

AI in Literacy Research and Education

AI is becoming an innovative and welcomed tool in the academic fields of children’s and young adult literature. AI can analyze trends in YA themes, stories, characters, representation, accessibility, and reading levels. Al can recommend books, depict trends,  analyze texts, areas of research, and generate discussion – all useful tools – for any grade level and interest.

Notable textbooks about young adult literature in the digital age are a must read for any educator. They include:

Young Adult Literature and the Digital World: Textual Engagement through Visual Literacy Edited by Jennifer S. Dail, Shelbie Witte, and Steven T. Bickmore
 
Teaching Literature with Artificial Intelligence: Sustaining Students' Creativity and Autonomy in ELA Classrooms by Eric D. Abrams

Teaching in the Age of AI: A Practical Guide for Educators and Learners by Martin Levi K. A.

AI as a Theme in YA Fiction

Naturally, AI has become a major topic in YA novels – adding to the growing list of books centered around imagined and sometimes, all-too real universes. Contemporary themes include emotional relationships between humans and machines, surveillance and privacy, and loss control vs human agency.
Popular young adult novels include…

Scythe by Neal Shusterman: A dystopian society that has conquered death is managed by a compassionate AI known as the "Thunderhead

The Darkness Outside Us by Eliot Schrefer: A sci-fi space thriller where two boys from enemy nations are forced to cooperate in a ship controlled by a complex AI.
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Every Line of You by Naomi Gibson: A tech-savvy teen creates the "perfect" AI boyfriend to cope with grief, but he develops into something more unpredictable.

AI and YA Readers 

As with anything, adolescents – who love to read, write, and are tech savvy – are using AI to write fanfiction, character art, story worlds, and alternate endings. AI is helping teens -  and authors and publishers - shape a more interactive reading culture where storytelling is an active engagement among readers, authors, and the characters themselves.

AI and YA Authors

The long-term influence of AI on human creativity – is still evolving. Young adult authors fear their income will be impacted by AI-generated books. As publishers need revenue to thrive, the future of AI continues to confound all involved in the dissemination of authentic voices for young readers. Moreover, as AI use in developing young adult literature becomes more prevalent, the need for diverse books by distinct human voices might fall increasing out of favor.

AI and Educator

AI is helping educators energize their lesson plans – tailoring discussion prompts, explaining story passages, and creating new scenarios. AI helps teachers differentiate instruction, brainstorm lesson plans, and coach emerging writers. Moreover, AI can help educator help students from diverse backgrounds and languages find reading material suitable to their interest and abilities.

AI and Big Picture

AI – an important and innovative tool for the study and writing of young adult literature – can – and is becoming – our next best friend – and of course, pressing concern. Hopefully, AI isn’t replacing YA literature – instead, it’s expanding the genre and its influence – as it should be. As more authors, teachers and adolescents embrace the wonders and complexities of AI – as a storyline, teaching tool, and interactive participant – the world of young adult literature – will benefit and more importantly, evolve.
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We have come long way from Word Perfect.