Section 2: Who should use Generative AI for Creating a Textbook?

Creating a textbook with generative AI is like having a superpowered assistant in your corner—an assistant who’s always ready to brainstorm, write drafts, or refine your ideas at lightning speed. But just because this tool exists doesn’t mean everyone needs to use it, and that’s an important point to keep in mind. Think of it like deciding whether to bake a cake from scratch or just buy one at the store. If the store-bought option fits your needs and saves you time, great! But if you’re looking for something uniquely tailored, then rolling up your sleeves and tackling the process yourself might be worth it.

The same logic applies here. There’s no rule saying you must use AI to create an Open Educational Resource (OER) textbook. In fact, in many cases, there are already excellent OER options available that might check all your boxes with little or no modification. But if you’re teaching a course where the existing options don’t quite fit—or if you’ve been dreaming of creating a textbook that perfectly matches your teaching style and curriculum—then generative AI might be the perfect tool to help you bring that vision to life.

That said, this isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. Before diving into the nitty-gritty, let’s explore whether this path makes sense for you. Because while the idea of creating a textbook with AI can be exciting and innovative, it’s also a process that works best for certain situations, course types, and (let’s be honest) personality types. So, how do you know if you’re the right fit? Let’s break it down.

Do You Need to Create Your Own OER Textbook?

First things first: check if you actually need to create a new textbook. There are fantastic Open Educational Resource (OER) textbooks already out there. Platforms like OpenStax, LibreTexts, Pressbooks, or your discipline-specific repositories might have something that fits your course needs perfectly. If you find something that’s 80–90% there, a little adaptation might be easier than starting from scratch.

Generative AI like ChatGPT is particularly helpful for creating materials in introductory or lower-level courses, where the content tends to focus on general knowledge and foundational concepts. Upper-level, highly specialized material? That’s a trickier task for AI. While ChatGPT is a whiz at summarizing broad ideas like realism in international relations, it’s not exactly the expert you need for niche topics like the nuanced methodologies of studying transnational advocacy networks.

Do You Want to Use Generative AI?

Let’s get one thing straight: using AI is optional. If you’re not comfortable with it, or if you’re navigating ethical concerns about AI’s role in academia, then feel free to skip this process altogether. There’s no pressure to jump on the AI bandwagon if it doesn’t align with your personal values or professional goals.

That said, if you’re curious about how AI can help, here’s the real question: do you want a textbook that’s tailored to your teaching style and pedagogy? Maybe you’ve dreamt of a resource that reflects your unique approach to explaining tricky concepts or incorporates examples your students can relate to. If an off-the-shelf solution doesn’t quite do the trick, AI might be the perfect tool to help you bring your vision to life.

So, Who’s the Ideal Candidate for This Process?

Based on my vast experience creating one OER textbook with ChatGPT, here’s who’s best suited for creating a textbook with AI:

1. You’re teaching an introductory or lower-level course, and existing OER options don’t meet your needs. AI is particularly effective for general knowledge and foundational topics.
2. You’re willing to learn and experiment with AI tools like ChatGPT. You don’t need advanced technical skills, but you should feel comfortable refining drafts and navigating the tool’s quirks.
3. You’re ethically comfortable with AI’s role in academia. If you have concerns about AI, that’s valid, and this process may not be the best fit for you.
4. You have a clear vision for a unique resource that aligns with your teaching style, whether it’s customized examples, student-focused activities, or content tailored to your pedagogy.
5. You have enough time and patience to manage an iterative process. Creating a textbook with AI is faster than starting from scratch, but it still requires refining drafts, checking for accuracy, and ensuring quality.
6. You’re ready to navigate practicalities like licensing and additional tools. Understanding OER practices (like Creative Commons licenses) and managing multimedia or interactive content will help you create a polished, shareable textbook.

If these criteria resonate with you, AI can be an invaluable collaborator in building a resource that’s tailored to your course and your students!

The Bottom Line

Not everyone needs to—or should—use generative AI to create a textbook. If you’re happy with existing resources or have doubts about AI’s place in academia, there’s no reason to force it. But if you’re teaching an introductory course, need a tailored solution, and are excited to see how AI can streamline the process, then roll up your sleeves and dive in. AI can’t replace your expertise, but it can help bring your ideas to life—and make the textbook-writing journey a little less daunting.