The literary partner in Jazan discusses the future of literature and artificial intelligence
In a move reflecting the Saudi cultural scene's embrace of the latest global technological advancements, the literary partner of the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, represented by the " Cultural Café " in the Jazan , organized an exceptional dialogue session entitled "Literature in the Age of Artificial Intelligence ." The session was attended by a select group of writers, intellectuals, and other interested individuals, who discussed in depth the challenges and opportunities that the digital revolution presents to human expression.
The debate between human creativity and artificial intelligence
The meeting addressed fundamental themes that resonated with the concerns of writers and creative individuals in the modern era. The discussion focused on the impact of artificial intelligence algorithms on the structure of literature and creative writing. The role of modern technologies in supporting writers by expanding their expressive tools and improving editing and research processes was explored, alongside philosophical and technical questions about the extent to which machines can produce literary texts that possess "soul" and evoke the complex human emotions that characterize timeless literature. Participants also addressed the literary community's fluctuating stance, ranging from cautious acceptance to outright rejection, regarding the use of these technologies in shaping cultural output.
Cultural context and future vision
This meeting comes at a time when the world is witnessing widespread debate about the dominance of technology, reflecting the awareness of Saudi cultural institutions of the importance of engaging with current global issues. This event falls under the “Literary Partner” initiative launched by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, which aims to promote cultural activity in public spaces and make literature a part of daily life, in line with the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which seeks to build a vibrant society and a thriving economy based on innovation and knowledge.
Such dialogues hold particular significance in the Jazan region, given its rich literary and poetic heritage, making discussions about the future of literature there a unique blend of tradition and technological advancement. Experts affirm that integrating artificial intelligence into creative industries can contribute to the development of new forms of interactive storytelling, but it also presents creators with the challenge of demonstrating the uniqueness of the human experience.
Humans and machines: integration, not competition
The meeting featured a rich and interactive dialogue among the attendees, during which diverse perspectives were presented, ultimately concluding that the relationship between human creativity and technology should be complementary. Emphasis was placed on the importance of employing artificial intelligence as a supportive and stimulating tool for the imagination, not as a replacement for the writer, as the essence of literature remains rooted in emotional experience, imagination, and language—qualities that algorithms cannot faithfully replicate.
The meeting concluded by emphasizing the need for these dialogue platforms to continue in order to open new horizons for discussion about the future of literature in light of the rapid digital development, in order to contribute to enriching the cultural scene in the region and preparing the new generation of writers to deal with the tools of the age with awareness and competence.
