Jeff Kinney on Raising Readers in the Age of AI: 'My Concern Is That AI Makes a Lot of Things Very Easy'

Jeff Kinney, the bestselling author of the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" series, is urging parents and educators to be mindful of how artificial intelligence might affect children's motivation to read and think critically. In a recent interview, Kinney expressed concern that AI tools, which can generate essays, summaries, and answers instantly, may make intellectual effort feel unnecessary for young learners. He emphasizes that the struggle and satisfaction of reading a full book or solving a problem are essential to developing deep thinking skills. Kinney, whose illustrated novels have sold over 275 million copies worldwide, suggests that parents should nurture their children's natural curiosity by following their interests, listening without judgment, and encouraging real-world social interactions. He argues that these human connections and personalized reading experiences cannot be replicated by algorithms. As AI becomes more integrated into classrooms and homes, Kinney's message serves as a timely reminder to balance technology with traditional literacy habits. The challenge ahead is to harness AI's benefits while preserving the joy of reading and independent thought.