A group of children's authors and illustrators launched the "We Are Better Than This" campaign on June 18, 2026, describing it as a "creative uprising" against artificial intelligence. The campaign includes creators Chris Haughton, Momoko Abe, and Benji Davies, and signals a growing pushback from creative professionals against AI's encroachment on their fields.
The campaign opposes the use of AI in children's literature and illustration, arguing that human creativity remains essential. The phrase "creative uprising" comes directly from the campaign's announcement, framing the initiative as a collective stand for the value of human-made work.
Creative professionals push back
Haughton, Abe, and Davies are among the most recognized names in children's publishing to join the protest. Their involvement brings attention to the debate over AI-generated content in books, where algorithms can now produce text and images that mimic human style. The campaign joins a wider conversation about AI's impact on creative fields, a topic that professionals can explore further with resources like AI for Creatives.
Why this matters for writers
The launch of "We Are Better Than This" is a concrete signal that many authors and illustrators see AI not as a tool but as a threat to their craft. For writers, the pushback underscores the growing importance of understanding how these tools work and how to protect their work, a subject covered in AI for Writers. As AI-generated content becomes more common in publishing, conversations about authorship, originality, and fair compensation are moving from industry margins to the center.
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