For the last few years, since Artificial Intelligence and other associated creative writing tools became popular, small-time aspiring writers like myself have been quaking in our boots, wondering if AI would send us packing to the land of anonymous mediocrity, leaving only the literary bigwigs to roam the literary earth. My recent visit to the Khushwant Singh Lit Fest at Kasauli Club turned out to be an eye-opening experience that led to a remarkable revelation.
If one prompts any AI tool to describe something, let’s say the Lit Fest in this case- it will quickly rummage through all the newspapers and websites which widely reported the event and provide the searcher with a strikingly accurate description with acute detail of what transpired at the event. It’ll regurgitate a Wikipedia-worthy description faster than anyone can say “Ctrl+C or Ctrl+V.” It will not only use better vocabulary than me but also generate a meticulously crafted list of eminent panelists and attendees, as well as specifics on what they said and their illustrious careers spanning decades. However, what it will not give the reader is a humanized version of the event, which only a human can perceive. My interactions with people at the LitFest pushed me to delve into the question that has been giving several artists sleepless nights: Can AI replace human creativity? Can it capture the essence of a human experience? The answer is a vehement NO!!
In support of my argument, I would like to offer the following instances for your consideration. For starters, since Day 1 of KSFL happened to fall on a working day, it is obvious that AI won’t be able to boast to a fellow attendee at the LitFest, “Oh, you know, I had to put in a leave application at work, because I am such a literary enthusiast.” Of course, AI doesn’t have a boss who checks the list of absentees for the day the moment she arrives at the office. AI wouldn’t know the thrill of playing daredevil for literature, would it? ChatGPT won’t be able to tell you about the chance encounter in the ladies’ room with someone who on the surface seemed to be a fellow enthusiast but turned out to be a Princeton Ivy League-educated journalist and author of four books!! AI can’t state with a ring of irrepressible excitement, “I tell you, the two of us gabbed about everything under the sun: from my obsession with sunscreen, to the art of writing.” Can AI replicate the serendipitous meeting of two strangers bonding over hand soap and sanitary napkins? GPT4o won’t be able to convey to the reader the picture of a famous historian who drew huge crowds on Day 1 and how endearing he looked, all dressed up in Indian attire, sporting a “gamchcha” and, “if you may,” looking more Indian than the entire audience put together. Also, that “if you may” seemed to be his (the historian) favorite phrase that featured in his lecture at least three times!!! Of course, AI won’t have a strange OCD about observing these little quirks about people. Google Gemini won’t be able to reveal that the kadhi chawal served at the Club was so delicious that it found itself reaching for a second serving despite the belt at its waist revolting against it.
AI can’t possibly put into words the feeling of warmth it experienced while interacting with a famous war veteran-author, who graciously spared time not only for a chat but also for inscribing a personalized autograph on the book a friend had carried from Chandigarh. Also, AI won’t be able to blushingly state that his (the war veteran’s) co-panelist, a fellow author about a book on the armed forces, had the most infectious smile and an inescapably seductive voice. Obviously, AI would not have batted its eyed lids at this handsome author!! Chat GPT, for obvious reasons cannot recount Day 2’s chance encounter with a celebrated politician who was pacing up and down the bricked path at a quaint resort. AI would not have thought to itself, “Hmm looks like even he is trying to complete his step count for the day”. Most importantly, AI could not have fathomed this politician’s humility and simplicity gauged from the absence of the usual entourage that accompanies an average Indian neta ji. AI cannot state to its kitty friends with a giggle, “Guess who sat right behind me at the breakfast table?” AI cannot recount the conversations the politician was having with a friend in Punjabi, which sounded like music to ears- far more melodious than the usual TV appearances where they are compelled to sound like diplomatic public figures. ChatGPT would definitely not feel guilty about eavesdropping on a private moment!!!
Also, AI cannot disclose that a famous podcaster was one of the most engaging speakers of the event who finally taught it how to pronounce the word “poignant”. AI can’t possibly convey frenzied tachycardia it felt at the sight of approaching sunset as it had to brave narrow winding roads downhill, because it was too starstruck waiting for a glimpse of it’s favorite Bollywood director. It can’t state with disappointment, “Yaar I had to miss his session but, I watched it on YouTube over a cup of chai in bed later. Par kitna handsome hai yaar!!” Last but not the least, AI would not confess about lack of details of Day 3 because AI does not have a school-going child who is so reverential towards his teacher after the recent PTM praise, that he wants Mommy to get back home to complete the pending homework with him.
When AI writes as an author, it will never have a backstory full of characters or emotions. Also, a dear friend at work recently remarked about how every person has their favourite adjectives and how they keep resorting back to it even at the cost of being repetitive. What will be AI’s favourite adjective? Artificial? So, fellow small-time and aspiring writers, rejoice! Our human experiences, complete with awkward encounters, guilty pleasures, and waistband woes, are here to stay. At least until AI learns to apply sunscreen and appreciate a good plate of kadhi chawal. But let’s not give it any ideas!!
