A few weeks ago, my son had an unfortunate accident, and we found ourselves spending the night at the hospital where there were no books. You can imagine how children might feel a sense of anxiety, not being in their own bed.

To soothe his anxiety from the injury and discomfort of not being in his own bed, I pulled up an artificial intelligence (AI) app on my phone.  

Within minutes, a complete story was generated featuring him as the main character, soundtracked by soft music in the background, and tailored around his favorite theme — dinosaurs.

This turned out to be our best bedtime story in ages. 

It wasn't just because of AI. It was the giggles we shared debating who the villain in the tale would be. (Spoiler alert: It wasn't him.) He didn't watch the screen; he just listened to me reading the AI story and the music playing.

For centuries, bedtime stories have served as a universal language of love and connection between parents and children.

Bedtime stories spark imaginations, soothe anxieties, and create unique memories. Think about it: I’m sure you can name your favorite book from when you were a child. 

While modern discussions about AI often revolve around efficiency, power, and intelligence, this recent experience with my son has prompted me to consider how AI can provide peace and warmth in unexpected moments. 

THE ORIGINS OF BEDTIME STORIES

The origins of bedtime stories can be traced back to the early days of human civilisation. 

In ancient Greece, people would tell stories of gods and heroes at night. In ancient India, people would recite the Vedas and other sacred texts at night as a way of transmitting religious knowledge and wisdom. 

As civilisations developed, these oral traditions evolved into written forms, which were further democratised by the invention of mass print. The first time the term “bedtime stories” publicly appears is in Bed-Time Stories by American poet Louise Chandler Moulton, published in 1873.

AI-generated stories won’t replace traditional bedtime stories anytime soon

Today, many cultures around the world still leverage bedtime stories to share creation myths and natural phenomenon explanations. 

These stories, passed down through generations, connect children to their ancestors' worldview and foster a sense of belonging. They're a cornerstone of cultural identity, shaping how little ones understand the(ir) universe.

AI-generated stories can be new and exciting, which make them a valuable addition to intimate exchanges once in a while. But they lack that inherent cultural touch, which means they likely won't replace traditional tales passed down in families through generations. 

NOT ONE OR THE OTHER, BUT BOTH

Instead, the bedtime story is one example of how the AI-driven future might be a blend of both personal sentiment and technological progress, where the latter elevates the former. 

Here’s how:

• More personalisation: Hearing a story with your own name creates a sense of excitement, keeping the child engaged while still drawing on the comfort of familiar elements.
• Greater interactivity: AI-powered stories will become more interactive, allowing children to make choices that influence the narrative, bringing a special “wow” moment.
• Deeper immersion: AI-generated music can transform a personalised story. Think of audiobooks on steroids; changing ambient music with each new story generated.

One other area where AI has the potential to strengthen parent-child bonds is in its ability to augment learning experiences.

On May 13, OpenAI unveiled its new version of ChatGPT, which can deliver personalised learning experiences by asking interactive questions and ensuring understanding at each stage of a math problem. Watching the video demonstration, what struck me wasn’t the learning feature, but the bonding between a father and son as they interacted and discussed to find solutions, supported by a voice-activated ChatGPT to nudge them in the right direction.

AI FOR STRONGER PARENT-CHILD BONDS

AI can never replace the comfort of a mother's voice or that worn copy of Goodnight Moon. But in those unexpected moments, like a hospital stay without a children's book, having an AI app on your phone can be a saving grace.

That night, what my son was asking for wasn't really a story, but comfort in the form of a new adventure to share with his dad — one where he would be the hero and a T. rex would be his best friend. 

I've designed a free web app, webstories.ai, just for that: Creating a story in children’s favorite themes.

In moments like this, the ability to create a personalised adventure that resonates with your child's imagination can be a lot of fun.

Over time, AI will gradually play a bigger role in our lives. If we can embrace this blend of tradition and innovation, I believe the bond between parent and child will blossom in new ways with AI, fostering shared learning and bonding, and other enriching experiences.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Antoine Blanc is a father of three and a marketing professional in the financial technology industry.