The AI Incident by J.E. Thomas

Read: July 2025

Rating: 4.25 stars

Format: Audiobook

Picture it. Everything is going as smooth as possible as you transition into 7th grade. You know you have the state assessment coming up, but your teachers are pretty great about preparing you (except for that one language arts teacher who drones on and on.) Yeah, there are situations outside of school that you have to deal with, like being in foster care as you approach your 13th birthday, but that, at the moment, is manageable.

Then your school district signs a contract with a new AI in education company that is supposed to majorly boost test scores in your building on the state assessment. (Note, the contract being signed is a BIG deal.) Next thing you know, Francis, an AI powered robot-thingy joins your school. You volunteer, along with a new friend, to be the robot's handler. As the days pass, the robot, er, Francis, becomes more and more aware of things going on everywhere, not just at school, but in your life, too. But, it's a robot, how can it become more aware of things?!

That's where things go off the rail. Francis declares that it's better than a teacher, and its goal is to take over as superintendent of the district. And the hopeful adoption deadline of 13? Francis decides to take care of that, too.

What ensues in the AI Incident by J.E. Thomas may seem really far out there, but in today's reality, with AI encroaching on all areas of life, a robot like Francis isn't as out there as it may seem. I love how this story appeals to students who are at that age where they may be diving into AI, and excited about all it can do. The early adolescent brain (As Malcom often refers to his pre-frontal cortex) isn't yet able to discern reality from fiction, and doesn't quite yet have the questioning capability needed to utilize AI in a safe, and educational way. The audiobook narrator does a lovely job telling the story, though personally, I'm a fan of narrators who use different voices for different characters (hence four stars instead of five.)

Thomas does a masterful job of teaching a critical lesson - you can't believe everything you read online, including what AI provides - in a way that will reach kids and teachers alike. He also explores the dangers of schools and districts letting AI take over tasks that don't seem that big of a deal. Opening the door a little to this amazing technology, without fully understanding all aspects of how it works, can lead to quite the messy adventure!

I really enjoyed this read, and am eager to bring it to my students and colleagues this fall!