The Rise of AI in Literature Research: Transforming Literary Studies and Challenging Traditional Theories
The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the field of literature research, transforming literary studies in ways that challenge traditional theories. According to Professor Nie Zhenzhao of Zhejiang University, embracing AI’s impact on literary theory is crucial for authors to adapt, reconstruct scientifically-based theories, and address the current challenges faced by literature.
AI-written literature has already begun to challenge existing theories and has the potential to prompt changes in literary research concepts. Professor Nie emphasizes the need for literary theory to move beyond old frameworks and undergo a scientific reconstruction, with a particular focus on the study of literary principles.
Highlighting Microsoft’s groundbreaking AI literature release in 2017, the poetry collection titled The Sunlight That Lost The Glass Window, created by the AI system Xiaoice, Professor Nie asserts that the achievements of AI in poetry surpass those of some human poets. Xiaoice studied the works of 519 poets from the last century in just 100 hours, demonstrating its ability to understand emotions and convey insights through poetry.
The question of whether AI like Xiaoice will replace poets and authors cannot be ignored. Professor Nie also cites the example of ChatGPT, an advanced AI system that can outperform some human poets up to the college or graduate level. These AI systems can analyze vast amounts of data, learn from it, and create poetry in novel and innovative ways, unaffected by subjective emotions or personal bias.
To address the challenges posed by AI in literature, Professor Nie recommends adopting technology as a means to investigate the fundamental principles of literary theories. This approach involves employing versatile research methods and fostering collaboration between literary studies and related fields. By doing so, innovative reinterpretations and a restructuring of the literary theory framework can be achieved.
In conclusion, the rise of AI in literature research is transforming the landscape of literary studies and challenging traditional theories. With AI systems capable of generating poetry and literature surpassing the capabilities of some human poets, the need for a scientific reconstruction of literary theory becomes imperative. By adopting technology and embracing AI’s transformative impact, authors and researchers can tackle the challenges faced by literature and pave the way for innovative advancements in the field.
