# AI is pumping out books. Are they any good?

An episode of [The Indicator from Planet Money](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1320118593), 25 Jun 2026, 8:46.

Audio: https://prfx.byspotify.com/e/play.podtrac.com/npr-510325/npr.simplecastaudio.com/0a4e8d3b-fe23-4948-9e39-20fcf16f9331/episodes/774d8334-071e-4b89-8dd9-c4ff60a82980/audio/128/default.mp3?awCollectionId=0a4e8d3b-fe23-4948-9e39-20fcf16f9331&awEpisodeId=774d8334-071e-4b89-8dd9-c4ff60a82980&feed=IFy3imsg&t=podcast&e=nx-s1-5869549&p=510325&d=526&size=8421964

Are all these AI books any good? And by good, we mean are people willing to buy them — not whether the prose is singing. We talk to two researchers who’ve got some answers and a travel guide expert on why AI can’t replace first-hand experience. Fact checking by Sierra Juarez. Your Next Listen — Human certification in the age of AI slop Connect with The Indicator — Sign up for The Indicator’s brand new newsletter — Buy the Planet Money book — Find our socials, YouTube and more! — For sponsor-free episodes, subscribe to NPR+ See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

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