Alright, let’s kick things off with a simple question: AI is doing everything these days, from painting portraits to writing poems. But can it really write the next Great American Novel? I'm talking about that kind of novel. The one that digs deep, stirs your soul, and sticks with you long after you’ve read the last page.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I’ve been fascinated by artificial intelligence like the next tech geek. I’ve seen how it's changing everything from advertising to the way we binge-watch shows. But when it comes to writing?
Like, real, gut-punching writing? It still doesn’t have what it takes. There’s something deeply personal and a little messy about human creativity. And that’s exactly what’s missing in AI-generated literature.
So, what does AI lack that makes it a good tool but a terrible author?
The Key Difference: AI vs. Human Creativity
It all boils down to one thing—emotions. We, humans, are emotional creatures, and we pour those feelings into our stories. Whether it's joy, heartbreak, or frustration, our lived experiences shape how we see the world and, in turn, how we write about it.
That’s why novels like "The Catcher in the Rye" or "To Kill a Mockingbird" still hit us right in the feels. These books aren’t just words on a page; they’re a mirror to our humanity—full of flaws, vulnerability, and that deep, unspoken stuff we all wrestle with.
AI, on the other hand? Sure, it can spit out stories, even mimic a particular writing style. But can it truly feel? No chance. You can't write about pain if you’ve never experienced it. And you can’t connect with a reader if you don’t understand what connection even means. It’s like asking a robot to write a love letter—it might get the words right, but the meaning? That’s something else entirely.
So, what makes human creativity unique? A couple of things:
- Lived experience
- Emotional intuition
- Moral and ethical reflection
Emotional Depth: Where AI Falls Short
Here’s where artificial intelligence really loses the plot—emotional depth. Writing is about more than just assembling a bunch of words into a story. Great writing comes from a place of lived experience, of feeling deeply and reflecting on life’s messiness.
Take The Bell Jar, for example. Sylvia Plath wrote that novel from a place of personal struggle, and it’s that raw honesty that resonates with readers. You feel her despair, her isolation—it’s almost like you’re there, living it with her.
Now, can AI replicate that? Can it pull from a well of personal trauma, love, or joy? Not a chance. AI doesn’t have emotions. It doesn’t grieve, fall in love, or get its heart broken. So, when it tries to write, what you end up with is a story that might technically be a good structure but lacks any real soul.
I once read a book during a pretty rough patch. A book that helped me make sense of the chaos I was feeling. It didn’t offer me solutions, but it was like a friend who just understood.
That’s what great literature does. It’s a shoulder to lean on, not just a collection of well-phrased sentences. AI could never give me that. And that’s the key difference.
It’s not that it can’t produce something that looks like a novel. It’s that quantity doesn’t equal quality.
Why AI falls short:
- No empathy
- No emotional intelligence
- No cultural context
Be that as it may, a lot of authors (70% of those involved in a recent survey) think publishers might start using AI to write books instead of people. Maybe that has more to do with economics than anything else.
Structure and Plot vs. Subtext
Let’s get one thing straight: AI can handle structure. It can come up with a plot that makes sense; you can expect a beginning, middle, and end. And it might even throw in a twist or two for good measure but you know what it can’t handle? Subtext.
Those deeper layers of meaning that give a story its weight. That’s the stuff that lives between the lines, the unspoken fears, hopes, and desires that turn a simple plot into something profound.
I remember coming across an AI-generated mystery novel once. Sure, it followed the formula perfectly. There were clues, suspense, and a twist ending. But here’s the problem—it felt hollow.
No deeper meaning behind the characters’ actions, no sense of morality or redemption. It was just a well-executed script, not a story that made me think or feel. Compare that to something like "Crime and Punishment", where every action ties in guilt and moral conflict. AI just can’t reach that level of depth.
Humans? We think in metaphors and see the world through layers of meaning. What's more,we look at a sunset and reflect on the passage of time, our mortality, or maybe just the beauty of the moment. AI sees a sunset. Nothing more, nothing less. And that’s the big difference because it writes from patterns, humans write from lived experience.
Let me break it down:
- Artificial intelligence: Follows patterns, mimics writing styles
- Humans: Infuse deeper meaning, grapple with complex emotions, explore moral questions
That’s why even a technically perfect AI-generated novel will always feel a little empty.
AI Literature in the Public Eye
You don’t have to take my word for it. Just look at what’s happening in the world of AI-generated literature right now. In 2023, there was a short story written entirely by AI that made headlines. Critics praised its technical brilliance—it was grammatically flawless, followed a tight structure, and even had a decent plot. But when it came to emotional impact? It fell flat.
Now, let me tell you about a writer I know. He decided to give AI a shot, using it to help with some plot development. At first, he was thrilled with how fast it could churn out ideas but when he sat down to actually read what it had produced? It was lifeless.
He had to go back and rework almost everything to add in that human touch—the soul, the heart of the story. This technology might be great for generating ideas, but it’s still us humans who have to bring those ideas to life.
Readers don’t just want to be entertained—they're looking for stories that move them. They want stories that speak to their own experiences and emotions. Not just well-constructed sentences.
AI’s Strengths: Writing Tools, Not Writers
Now, let’s not totally bash this incredible technology. It has its strengths, no doubt about that and it's a fantastic tool for writers. What’s more, it can help break writer’s block, generate plot ideas. And even handle some of the more repetitive tasks. Like suggesting character names or fleshing out minor details. But it’s a tool, not a replacement.
Why the Great American Novel Still Needs a Human Hand
So, where does this leave us? AI can do a lot—it’s fast, efficient, and great for generating ideas. But when it comes to writing a novel with emotional resonance, a story that moves you? That’s still a human job.
The Great American Novel isn’t just about plot or structure. It’s about capturing the human experience—our hopes, fears, and everything in between.
