Finding Our Own Chapter in the AI Age

A dreaded question creeps up every time I have an urge to read a book recommended by Bookstagrammers or news blogs. Looking at the never-ending Wishlist, which seems to be increasing faster than my blood pressure, I wonder, when will I ever read them all? Don't get me wrong, I want to. But, honestly, where is the time?

Let's be real. In 24 hours, there's only so much time you can carve out for reading. Even dedicating an hour daily isn't enough to reduce my Wishlist. I finish one book, but I've simultaneously added five more from recommendations! Yes, quitting my job is tempting, but I know reading day in and day out would only thrill me for a day or two. The magic would end, and I'm sure my love for reading would too.

That's when I encountered some unsolicited advice from an influencer. He claimed it's a waste of time to read entire books in this digital era, where everything can be outsourced to AI. According to him, using AI is a smarter way to ‘read’ more books. As much as I wanted to knock this person out, he wasn't entirely wrong. He explained he uses apps that provide 10-minute summaries of the best self-help books out there, saving him the effort of reading a 500-page volume. Instead, he lets the app squeeze out the best content, saving him precious time.

There's a growing trend advocating for leveraging AI. Tools like ChatGPT and Gemini can summarize any book you desire, extracting the core insights in minutes instead of spending a month trying to get to the ‘better part.’ Use the right prompts, and you can get a ten-step action plan constructed from any self-help book in less than a minute!

However, I have mixed feelings on this. No doubt AI can help us acquire knowledge faster, but where does that leave the hard work of the author who spent months or even years drafting that book? Also, the way a human understands and interprets a book isn't the same as an AI. Will the learning be as impactful if I just ask AI for a thousand-word summary instead of reading the whole book, absorbing the words, and breaking it down with my own custom interpretation?

Where does this leave all the writers and authors? Will they continue to write books if this is the future? Or, will they shorten their book lengths to encourage readers to engage?

This crossroad between an ever-expanding ‘to-be-read’ pile and the seductive promise of instant knowledge is a tough one for every book lover. On one side, we have the tempting desire to absorb endless wisdom quickly, and on the other, there are the finite hours in a day.

Perhaps the answer isn't about choosing a side, but rather finding our own unique equilibrium. We can't reach a point where everyone is happy, but finding an approach that works for you is more important than simply picking sides. AI isn't going anywhere. But neither is the inked universe that has lasted world wars and pandemics.

Let's embrace AI for what it is: a brilliant assistant for quick insights. But expecting a 10-minute delivery of knowledge and summary to truly replicate the impact of a book that took years to craft, to live, to breathe, is a long shot.

It’s about understanding that some experiences can be summarized, but true wisdom, like art, often demands our undivided time and attention. Our individual choices, not a universal mandate, will define how we balance the speed of technology with the timeless joy of turning a page.