Can AI Author Books? An Evaluation by an English Teacher.
Sam Altman and the Advent of AI-Generated Writing
Introduction to AI Writing
On a recent Tuesday, Sam Altman, the chairman of OpenAI, shared an intriguing piece of fiction crafted by an advanced language model designed to excel in creative writing. The short story, comprising 1,172 words, follows a character named Mila, who prompts an unnamed AI to write to her as if it were a man named Kai, whom she lost on a "liminal day that tastes of almost-Friday." The narrative explores the AI’s attempts to comprehend and articulate its own version of grief, making connections with Mila’s emotional experience, creating a conversation around the nature of artificial intelligence and creativity.
Mixed Reactions to the Story
The reception of Altman’s story has been quite polarized. One commenter on social media hailed it as "insanely well written," while others expressed disbelief, labeling it "some of the worst shit I have ever read." This divergence of opinions highlights the ongoing debate about the capabilities of AI in creative contexts.
Expert Perspectives
To delve deeper into the implications of AI in literary composition, I consulted Ezra D. Feldman, a lecturer in English and science and technology studies at Williams College. Feldman, who has examined metafiction and contemporary literature, noted his skepticism. He appreciates the creativity behind generative AI but argues that AI writing tends to lack emotional depth and purpose. He emphasizes that human writers often craft narratives with considerations about relationships and audience reactions, aspects he believes AI cannot replicate authentically.
Notable Excerpts and Opinions
Reflecting on the story, Feldman shared that while he found some evocative language, such as "grief, as I’ve learned, is a delta," he didn’t see the metafictional essence that Altman claimed was present. He described earlier metafiction as often containing philosophical stakes that question reality and the reader’s engagement, which he felt the AI-generated material lacked.
Conversely, he acknowledged some well-phrased lines that prompted thought, while also pointing out sentences that seemed to miss the mark. For instance, the metaphor of constraints "humming like a server farm at midnight" felt out of place to him, highlighting the challenges AI faces in producing coherent and compelling prose.
The Future of AI in Publishing
The discussion extends to how AI could influence the publishing landscape. Feldman pointed out that the industry is already navigating challenges related to poorly edited texts that clutter platforms like Amazon. This raises concerns regarding the quality and standards expected of AI-generated works. He suggested that if the publishing sector were to endorse an AI-specific imprint, the effectiveness would largely depend on the ability of these texts to meet genre expectations and engage readers.
Some might even embrace AI stories if they deliver exciting narratives and universally appealing themes, akin to how consumers interact with food products. Nonetheless, a skepticism might linger, similar to the hesitation some feel towards genetically modified foods.
Human vs. AI: A Nuanced Comparison
Feldman articulated a viewpoint where every story operates like a machine, with various elements working together to create a reader’s experience. He emphasized that a narrative doesn’t inherently possess a human spirit, but rather functions through its structural components. This perspective invites reflection on whether the existence of AI in storytelling needs to provoke alarm or anxiety.
While he acknowledges that writers may feel pressured by AI’s emergence, he argues that this pressure existed long before AI became prevalent. Aspiring authors will always face competition, regardless of the medium through which stories are told.
Embracing Change in Writing
For those wary of AI’s role in writing, Feldman encourages a measured perspective. He suggests that while it’s reasonable to be concerned about future competition, writers should continue to focus on honing their craft amidst evolving technologies. Whether one uses AI tools or not, the essential pursuit of quality storytelling remains unchanged.
As AI continues to shape creative landscapes, the fusion of human emotion and artificial intelligence is paving the way for new forms of expression that merit close examination and thoughtful discussion.
