AI stocks are wobbly of late, but will rise again. Experts keep saying nobody knows what the future holds for AI, but everyone seems to be buying or selling it anyway. The Onion makes sense: "AI Chatbot That Only Responds 'Huh' Valued At $200 Billion."
Take a beat. Read a book.
Last month, the Orange County Register ran a piece headlined "Southern California romance bookstores do not want AI for Valentine's Day," in which it cited a recent New York Times article about a romance novelist who had used AI and 21 pseudonyms to release more than 200 novels last year. The Register reached out to a couple of independent romance bookstore owners for their take.
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| Becca Title | |
"I sure do have some thoughts about that New York Times piece!" Becca Title of Meet Cute Romance Bookshop in La Mesa responded. "Romance novels, in particular, are about people's need for love and connection. I do not believe that an algorithm trained to regurgitate millions of pirated texts can write a good work of fiction because there is no possibility for real communication, real empathy, real sharing of wisdom between a reader and what is just a cunning facsimile of an author. And, I think it's worth asking, why would we want it to?"
Katie Mullin of In Bloom Bookery in Temecula observed: "I wholeheartedly believe that there is no place for AI in romance novels.... The heart of a romance novel is the human connection. Readers crave originality and admire the craft that authors pour their hearts into; I don't believe AI can replicate that.... Right now, it can feel like billionaires and bots are making too many decisions affecting our lives, but remember: Readers remain in control of what they read, and so we continue to speak out and support actual authors, independent bookstores, and our library systems to ensure that this continues."
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| In Bloom Bookery | |
"Terms like 'artificial' and 'robotic' aren't usually associated with satisfying romance, which seems to prefer the warmth and connection of a human touch," the Register noted. "But hey, we could always ask AI about passion and desire and see what it outputs. (Don't worry, we won't.)"
Well, I did... sort of. Although there are too many questions about AI to be answered (or even estimated) by AI at this stage in its development, my NI (Natural Intelligence) is curious about its frontline bookseller potential.
Note: AI responses here are edited by NI for brevity and because humans can do that just for the hell of it. Also: Google AI's "answers" change constantly, so these represent just a virtual snapshot. Results, as they say, may vary.
So this is how Google AI handled some classic customer requests:
I don't know the title, but it has a red cover.
Based on the description of a "red cover," the book you are thinking of is likely a popular YA fantasy, thriller, or romance novel, as these genres frequently use red to evoke passion or danger.... If none of these sound familiar, it might be helpful to recall if it was a thriller (often dark red) or a romance (often bright red).
Thanks... for nothing.
Where's the nonfiction section in this bookstore?
Nonfiction sections are typically located in the main, quieter areas of a library or in the back, usually organized by the Dewey Decimal System (numbers 000-900) or by subject-based color codes. Look for rows of shelving labeled with subjects rather than just alphabetical author names, often arranged by specific topics like history, science, or biographies.
Umm... I asked about bookstores? I expected it to say everything in the store was nonfiction except the fiction.
Can I get a discount on this book?
Yes, you can often get a discount on a book by shopping around online, looking for sales, or considering used copies. The specific discounts depend on the book, retailer, and current promotions.
Too easy... and annoying.
Are you hiring?
I am an AI, so I don't personally hire employees.
Okay, that's a good one.
Where is the bathroom in this bookstore?
Based on typical bookstore layouts, the restroom is usually located toward the back of the store to encourage browsing, as noted in a Shelf Awareness article. In some specific, unconventional, or smaller shops, facilities might be found in specialized areas, such as in the science fiction section.
Thanks for the SA shoutout, Google AI, but what's the deal with the sci-fi diss?
Since you work in a bookstore, you must read all the time.
It is a very common misconception that working in a bookstore means sitting in a cozy chair and reading all day! While being surrounded by books is a major perk, the reality of the job is quite different... the job offers constant exposure to books, but not much time to actually read them.
Finally nailed it. Now for the big finish:
How will AI affect frontline booksellers?
AI will transform frontline booksellers from manual inventory clerks into tech-enabled curators by automating tasks like inventory management, stock forecasting, and basic customer inquiries. While AI handles routine work and provides data-driven recommendations, human booksellers will focus on personalized customer experiences, building community, and expert, nuanced curation that AI cannot replicate.
A little cold, and I never considered myself a "manual inventory clerk," but okay. One last question:
Will AI replace me?
The short answer is no, AI is unlikely to replace 'you' as a person....
Unlikely? As book people know more than most people, words always matter. Even--perhaps especially--for Large Language Models (LLMs).