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AI and the Quantity and Quality of Creative Products: Have LLMs Boosted Creation of Valuable Books?

Author

Listed:
  • Imke Reimers
  • Joel Waldfogel

Abstract

The diffusion of LLMs from 2022 to 2025 tripled new book releases. While average book quality, measured by usage, declined, the surge in releases raised the number of modest-quality books. Direct evidence using AI detection shows that AI-containing books have lower quality, and their rising share – topping half of 2025 releases – drives the overall decline. A nested logit calibration shows that AI books raised consumer surplus by seven percent in 2025. Author selection accounts for most of the AI quality differential, and the AI-human differential shrinks over time. Finally, AI has not displaced authors active prior to LLMs.

Suggested Citation

  • Imke Reimers & Joel Waldfogel, 2026. "AI and the Quantity and Quality of Creative Products: Have LLMs Boosted Creation of Valuable Books?," NBER Working Papers 34777, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:34777
    Note: IO PR
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • L16 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Industrial Organization and Macroeconomics; Macroeconomic Industrial Structure
    • L82 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Entertainment; Media

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