Revelations from a Japanese novelist who utilized generative artificial intelligence in crafting her award-winning book have sparked a vigorous debate within Japan's literary circles. The author's admission that AI played a role in her narrative has divided opinions among the literary community, with some seeing AI as an innovative tool for writing, while others in the management of Japan's literary competitions are concerned about its impact on creative originality. Despite this, there's a consensus that AI is far from independently crafting high-quality novels.
The novel, "Tokyo-to Dojo-to" ("Sympathy Tower Tokyo") by 33-year-old Rie Kudan, imagines a future Tokyo where generative AI is a common aspect of life. This work won the 170th Akutagawa Prize in January, a prestigious accolade for emerging authors. Kudan's novel became a center of attention after she revealed during a prize acceptance press conference that approximately 5% of the book's text was directly sourced from generative AI.
The use of AI in the novel's creation did not significantly influence the Akutagawa Prize selection panel's discussions, according to novelist Shuichi Yoshida, a member of the committee. The AI elements were seemingly viewed as part of the story's fabric rather than a point of contention.
Kudan's disclosures have since fueled a widespread debate, capturing attention on social media and making headlines globally. Generative AI, known for its ability to produce text, images, and other content through machine learning, raises concerns about potential misuse, such as spreading misinformation or violating copyright laws. This has led to ongoing discussions about establishing guidelines for its application
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In "Sympathy Tower Tokyo," Kudan integrates AI in a way that mirrors current technologies like ChatGPT by OpenAI, where AI in the story responds to the protagonist's inquiries. She clarified that AI-generated text was used exclusively for these interactions, emphasizing her effort to seamlessly integrate it without disrupting the narrative flow.
The broader literary community is now contemplating how to address the use of AI in writing. One experienced editor suggested that future submissions should disclose any AI assistance, akin to citation practices, acknowledging the challenge in identifying AI's role post-publication and the potential sense of betrayal among readers upon discovering its use.
The science fiction genre, already familiar with AI themes, is adapting its submission guidelines to include AI-generated content, demanding significant authorial input beyond the AI's output and documenting the creative process.
Literary critic Akira Okawada noted the growing trend of authors using AI for brainstorming and structuring stories, suggesting that while AI-generated text alone cannot yet surpass human creativity, the industry should engage in discussions about its future role. He highlighted the challenges AI faces in grasively tackling ethical complexities, a key element of creative writing that explores the nuances of human nature.
Kudan's work, probing the interplay between humans and language, suggests a future where AI and human creativity coexist. Despite the potential for AI to mimic human writing, Kudan affirms her unwavering passion for writing, underscoring a commitment to her craft regardless of technological advancements.