Author’s AI-assisted novel wins prestigious award
The use of artificial intelligence in creative industries has long been a topic of debate, with many questioning whether it will diminish originality and creativity in favor of algorithm-generated content. However, Japanese author Rie Kudan has defied critics by incorporating AI into her award-winning novel, The Tokyo Tower of Sympathy.
During her acceptance speech for the prestigious Akutagawa prize, Kudan revealed that around 5 percent of her novel was written using ChatGPT, a generative AI program. She admitted to quoting verbatim sentences generated by the chatbot, and even using it to help inspire dialogue in the book.
Set in a futuristic version of Japan where AI is a central part of everyday life, The Tokyo Tower of Sympathy follows the story of an architect who designs a high-rise prison, only to find herself struggling in a society that seems overly sympathetic to criminals. The novel has been praised for its flawless execution and thought-provoking themes.
While some critics have raised concerns about the impact of AI on the creative process, Kudan’s success with The Tokyo Tower of Sympathy demonstrates that AI can be a valuable tool for writers. By collaborating with AI, authors can explore new ideas, generate fresh perspectives, and push the boundaries of conventional storytelling.
It’s worth noting that Kudan is not the only writer to experiment with AI in their work. Salman Rushdie, author of The Satanic Verses, has also critiqued the creative power of AI, describing the results of a program mimicking his writing style as “pure garbage.”
As the debate around AI and creativity continues, it is clear that the relationship between technology and art is evolving. Whether viewed as a threat or an opportunity, AI is undoubtedly reshaping the landscape of literature and challenging traditional notions of authorship.
In an ever-changing world where innovation is key, perhaps it’s time for writers to embrace the possibilities that AI can offer and explore the endless potential for collaboration between human and machine creativity. After all, as Rie Kudan has shown, the future of storytelling may very well be a blend of human imagination and artificial intelligence.