The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is introducing a medieval literature course that utilizes an AI-generated textbook, developed with Kudu, a learning tools company. This innovative textbook, costing $25 compared to the traditional $200, was created from materials provided by Zrinka Stahuljak, the course's professor. The textbook allows students to interactively learn but prevents them from using it to write assignments. While some see this as a cost-effective and more engaging learning tool, others, like Thomas Davis from Ohio State University, are concerned it may devalue education and threaten academic jobs. Critics describe it as detrimental to education, questioning the removal of human input in humanities courses. However, Stahuljak believes it enhances teaching by freeing up time previously spent lecturing, allowing deeper classroom engagement. The AI textbook, containing information curated by Stahuljak, empowers teaching assistants to focus more on interactive discussions rather than summarizing lectures.

Critics worry that limiting the textbook's resources to only those provided by Stahuljak may not fully prepare students for dealing with AI's vast data landscape. However, Stahuljak argues that this interactive textbook offers a more engaging experience than traditional texts. Despite criticisms, the course, launching next year, is part of UCLA’s broader move toward integrating AI in education. Earlier, Kudu collaborated on AI-supported textbook chapters for physics courses at Cal Poly Pomona. Alexander Kusenko, Kudu’s co-founder, believes these AI tools can personalize education, particularly benefiting minority students who might be hesitant to ask questions in traditional settings. There is concern among academics, such as Mark Carrigan from the University of Manchester, about AI potentially replacing human roles in education. Without clear norms for AI's use, there's a risk of diminishing human scholarship to elite institutions, with the rest becoming automated due to financial and institutional pressures. Stahuljak, however, emphasizes the course remains centered around human teaching, with AI as an aid.