In a groundbreaking development that reaffirms the power of artificial intelligence (AI), a science fiction novel entirely generated by AI has won a national literary award in China. What’s truly remarkable is that the novel, titled “Land of Memories,” penned by Shen Yang, a professor at Tsinghua University, was not only authored by AI but also received critical acclaim, winning the 5th Jiangsu Youth Popular Science Science Fiction Competition.
Shen Yang embarked on the ambitious project of writing a science fiction novel set in the metaverse and featuring humanoid robots. To unlock his creative potential, he turned to AI for help. Utilizing a draft of 43,000 words and providing 66 prompts, Shen let the AI take the reins. In an astonishing display of AI’s capabilities, the software generated an impressive 6,000-word novel within a mere three hours.
The novel’s storyline is nothing short of captivating, introducing readers to a forbidden realm within the metaverse called the “Land of Memories.” This mysterious domain is inhabited by amnesiac humanoid robots and AI entities that have lost their memories. Humans and artificial beings alike risk having their memories drained away if they dare to intrude upon this forbidden land.
The heart of the story revolves around Li Xiao, a metaverse explorer, who, after losing all memories of her family during an experiment, becomes enchanted by the legend of the “Land of Memories.” Driven by a desire to retrieve her lost memories, she embarks on an enthralling adventure in this AI-created world.
When Shen Yang submitted his creation to the Jiangsu Science Writers Association, the novel secured a well-deserved second prize, impressing three out of the six judges who cast their votes. Only one of the judges was aware that AI had been employed in the creation of the novel. However, another judge, who had been delving into AI-generated content, astutely recognized the telltale signs indicative of AI authorship.
Shen Yang himself admitted that the AI was responsible for all aspects of the novel, from the pen name and title to the text and accompanying pictures. Delving into the literary style known as “Kafkaesque,” named after the renowned novelist Franz Kafka, the AI was tasked with encapsulating the distinctive tone and portrayal of terrifying situations prevalent in Kafka’s work.
“This is the first time AI writing has won a literary award in the history of literature and of AI,” proclaims Shen, who intends to provide a detailed account of the creative process behind the novel, making it accessible for anyone interested in learning to create compelling fiction with AI.
However, not everyone is convinced that AI-generated literature is a cause for celebration. Some industry experts, such as Fu Ruchu, the editorial department director at the People’s Literature Publishing House, express concern about the potential repercussions of AI’s encroachment on the craft of writing. Fu warns of the possible irreparable damage to literary language caused by AI-generated works. According to Fu, the novel exhibits a weak sense of language, an issue that may only intensify with the growth of AI writing.
While the debate about the long-term impact of AI on the world of literature and creativity continues, there’s no denying that the achievements of “Land of Memories” mark a significant milestone in the convergence between AI and art. As AI continues its rapid advancement, who knows what other realms of human expression it may conquer next? The world of literature stands on the verge of transformation, and it’s an exciting time indeed.
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