There’s been a growing debate around whether AI-assisted illustration has a place in children’s publishing. Some argue that it undermines artists, that it removes the human touch, that it’s “cheating.” I understand those concerns — creativity is deeply personal, and the thought of technology stepping into that space can feel uncomfortable.
But as an author who has chosen to integrate AI tools into my creative process, I want to explain why I believe ethical, intentional use of AI is not only acceptable, but also a meaningful evolution in how stories can be brought to life.
A New Tool, Not a Replacement
Children’s publishing has always embraced new tools. The move from hand-drawn animation to digital painting, from darkroom photography to Photoshop, from traditional printing to e-books — each shift has caused debate, but every one of those tools ultimately expanded what creators could do.
AI is simply the newest medium. It doesn’t replace imagination, storytelling, or the human ability to evoke emotion. It simply allows authors and illustrators — particularly independents — to visualise ideas more quickly, experiment more freely, and make the process more accessible.
When I use AI, I’m not pressing a single button and accepting the first image it gives me. I’m acting as an art director: crafting detailed visual prompts, refining composition and lighting, adjusting facial expressions, colours, and style until it matches the world I’ve already imagined in words. Every creative decision still comes from a human place — my place — informed by story, character, and emotion.
The Importance of Ethical Use
That said, ethical responsibility is vital. The conversation about AI is not just about creativity; it’s also about integrity. There are right and wrong ways to use these tools, and every creator should know the difference.
For me, ethical AI use means:
- Never referencing or copying real artists’ names, styles, or existing artworks.
- Using original prompts, directions, and story-specific visual concepts.
- Refining every image with respect for originality, rather than imitation.
- Being transparent about the process, and clear that the storytelling remains human-led.
AI should never be a means to exploit or erase artists — it should be used to empower more voices to tell stories, especially those who would otherwise never have the means to publish illustrated books.
Creativity and Accessibility
Independent authors don’t always have access to large budgets or publishing houses. For many of us, AI has opened a door that was previously locked. It allows a single creator to bring a complete story world to life — one that can inspire, comfort, and delight young readers just as any traditionally illustrated book might.
If a story is told with care, guided by human imagination, and presented ethically, then the method of its creation should not define its worth. The message, emotion, and joy it brings to a child are what truly matter.
The Human Heart Behind the Technology
AI does not replace creativity. It reflects it. Every image begins with a thought, a feeling, or a vision that belongs to a person — an author, an illustrator, a dreamer.
When a child opens a book and feels wonder, they aren’t thinking about the software used to make the image. They’re thinking about the characters, colours, and emotions in front of them. And that magic still begins with a human hand and a human heart.
A Shared Future
Storytelling has always adapted. Painters once feared photography; traditional illustrators once feared digital art. Yet each of these innovations found its place and, in time, became part of the creative landscape.
The challenge — and the opportunity — with AI is to use it responsibly. To approach it as a collaborator, not a replacement. To ensure that creativity, empathy, and integrity remain at the core of every image and every page.
Because at the end of the day, the goal of children’s literature hasn’t changed:
To spark curiosity.
To nurture imagination.
And to remind every child who opens a book that the world is full of possibility.
That’s something no algorithm can ever replicate.
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