Renowned author Rie Kudan, aged 33, clinched Japan’s esteemed Akutagawa Prize for Literature with her groundbreaking sci-fi masterpiece, “Tokyo-to Dojo-to” (Tokyo Sympathy Tower). The novel, delving into the intricacies of a high-rise prison tower intertwined with AI themes, received high acclaim from judges who lauded its near-flawless execution.
The Akutagawa Prize stands as Japan’s pinnacle recognition for literary excellence, a biannual honor bestowed upon emerging talents in the field. Its counterpart, the Naoki Prize, caters to established authors of popular fiction. Such accolades typically thrust winners into the limelight, attracting widespread media scrutiny.
During her acceptance speech, Kudan disclosed a surprising revelation — a portion of her acclaimed work was crafted in collaboration with ChatGPT, a generative AI. “This is a novel written by making full use of a generative AI like ChatGPT, and probably about 5 percent of the whole text is written directly from the generative AI,” Kudan remarked, as reported by The Japan Times. She expressed enthusiasm for the AI’s contribution, emphasizing a desire to leverage its capabilities to enhance her creative expression.
The Japan Times detailed the swift and severe backlash on social media following Kudan’s revelation. Many users voiced apprehension regarding the implications for literature if AI interventions are permitted to vie for prestigious awards. The controversy stems from concerns surrounding the use of generative AI in creative endeavors, notably due to their reliance on extensive datasets comprising works by other authors. Such systems are capable of reproducing passages verbatim, potentially including personal details sourced from the internet.
In response to the uproar, some observers suggested that if Kudan’s book explicitly marked AI-generated responses, it would be more ethically sound. However, Kudan’s publisher remained silent in the face of inquiries from The Japan Times.
The intersection of artificial intelligence and literature continues to provoke debate, with Kudan’s revelation sparking fresh discussions about the evolving landscape of creativity and technology.
