Will artificial intelligence take over literature?

Timeline 2016. Manuscripts are under review for the Shinichi Hoshi Literary Award. The award was launched 17 years after the death of famous Japanese science fiction writer Shinichi Hoshi.

The total number of manuscripts submitted that year was 1,450. 11 manuscripts were selected in the first round. One of these is 'The Day a Computer Writes a Novel'.

Shortly before announcing the winner, the judges discovered that the novel was not written by a human. An AI (artificial intelligence) program named 'Sekai Camera' wrote the thing. However, a group of writers have given a human touch in this. On that journey, the judges eliminated the novel from the competition.

The scandal generated attention in Japan and around the world. I also knew about the fact because of my regular inquiry into Japanese literature. Of course, I didn't pay much attention to it then. But standing today in 2023 when everyone is talking about ChatGPT (Generative Pretrained Transformer), I remembered the incident.

If AI can fool the eyes of literary award judges, it can be said that artificial intelligence is capable of successfully writing novels. In that case, what is the future of those who are writing stories and novels?

2016 to 2023. In this the technology has improved further. An unimaginable amount of money has been poured into the development of artificial intelligence. AI is now more perfect, more effective. But what has become so perfect that it will be a threat to the literary?

I took the laptop and asked the question to chatgpt. Our conversation was in English. I am writing here in Bengali. I asked him, do you think that artificial intelligence can replace human writers?

In the previous session we discussed Murakami and Ishiguro. He started talking on that basis. Typed quickly, you're familiar with Kazuyo Ishiguro's writing, right?

I said, hmm.

Kazura Ishiguro has a quote, 'The most important thing in art is the frame of reference.' Artificial intelligence has no frame of reference.

I didn't understand. What is frame of reference? Explain a little.

A frame of reference in literature is a writer's or reader's experience, cultural background, and education, which helps him or her understand a literary work. Through these references, the book's themes, characters and events become relevant to the writer or reader.

In that case, artificial growth is not a threat to writers?

Not at all.

Will you explain a little more?

Talk about yourself. ChatGPT means I can write grammatically correct sentences, sentences make sense. But this is not the end. The sentences I write lack creativity, empathy and human intelligence, which are essential to writing stories. Writing is not just putting words together to form a perfect sentence. In a good story, the writer creates characters with compassion, develops the plot and takes the reader on an emotional journey, evoking their emotions. These are beyond the capabilities of artificial intelligence.

Tell me more about this.

ChatGPT took quite a while to type slowly, artificial intelligence will never produce original content. He does not have that power. He can write like a big man. As a human being, I can follow the same path, but I can never come up with new ideas or perspectives. Writers can bring their unique experiences and perspectives to writing. You can tell the story in your own voice. And these are what make a truly original content. Something fundamental is created.

I said, apart from this, any other points come to your mind?

Writing is a very personal thing. A compelling story needs a human touch. I am unable to give that touch. Replacing creativity and originality is not so simple.

You say these to comfort, no?

not at all Listen, have you heard the name of Andrew Ng?

no who is he

An AI expert. He says, 'Artificial intelligence will not eliminate writers, but it is true that the way we used to write will change after the arrival of AI. Chat GPT will help writers, give them fresh ideas, automate certain tasks, help them improve their writing through feedback and suggestions.'

More specifically, what kind of support can ChatGPT provide to writers?

We use calculators to do calculations, spell checkers to correct spellings, just as I can use literature as a helpful tool.

This did not answer my question. Tell the fields specifically, how to help?

In response, chatgpt quickly typed, I can help creative writers in a number of ways, including—

Brainstorming: If you are confused about the plot or characters of your story, you can take my help. I will first know what your goal is. Then I will advise and help based on your interests and preferences. This process works great for writer's block.

Response: Look, you've drafted your story, you can let me read it. I can comment on your writing style, pacing, characterization and plot development. This feedback will help you improve. Where correction or modification Source : Prothom Alo

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