Author Qudan Rie Discusses Language and Cadence in "Sympathy Tower Tokyo"
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In a groundbreaking move, Japanese author Qudan Rie has incorporated artificial intelligence (AI) into her novel, "Sympathy Tower Tokyo." This innovative approach has not only caught the attention of readers but also sparked discussions about the role of AI in literature and creativity.
During her childhood, Qudan communicated primarily with books, including works by Mishima Yukio. This profound connection with literature is evident in her latest novel, which was inspired by Mishima's famous novel, "The Temple of the Golden Pavilion."
"Sympathy Tower Tokyo" is set in an alternative version of Japan where the 2020 Tokyo Olympics were held in the New National Stadium designed by Zaha Hadid. The novel's main character, Machina Sara, is an architect working on designs for a new prison called Sympathy Tower Tokyo.
Qudan used AI to write about five percent of her novel, specifically the AI’s dialogue. This collaboration was publicly acknowledged, sparking debate about AI's place in literature and creativity. The AI-generated language contrasts with the human narrator’s voice, framing a critique of contemporary Japanese society and language, particularly the growing use of artificial, impersonal katakana terms and the loss of tangible meaning in communication.
The tower itself symbolizes a dystopian tolerance society, and AI's role challenges readers to consider how pervasive AI language might shape future culture and social relations.
Qudan's work has been attracting attention overseas in recent years, particularly due to its combination of AI, the Akutagawa Prize, and a female Japanese author. Her novel "Sympathy Tower Tokyo" won the Akutagawa Prize last year.
Regarding her subsequent collaborative project with AI, while explicit details about this project were not found, the context implies Qudan's continued exploration of AI as a creative partner. The novel’s international translations and acclaim have made Qudan’s use of AI a notable example of AI collaboration in contemporary literature.
Qudan's work "Tokyo to dojōtō" (translated as "Sympathy Tower Tokyo") will be published in at least seven markets, including Russia and the United States. An English translation by Jesse Kirkwood will appear in Britain in August and in the United States in September.
Interestingly, Qudan believes there is a close relationship between the body and literary style, and credits her gym work and bodybuilding for influencing her prose. She prioritizes rhythm over literal meaning in translation of her work. Her Italian publisher, L'Ippocampo, was personally enthusiastic about translating and publishing her work.
In summary, Qudan Rie's novel "Sympathy Tower Tokyo" uses AI collaboration in thematic and formal roles. The AI-generated dialogue exposes the limits of AI and human-AI interaction, while the novel critiques artificial language, societal tolerance, and future implications of AI language use. This innovative approach has sparked controversy and discussion about AI's creative role in literature. Furthermore, Qudan's continued interest in AI-human collaboration suggests that this is not a one-off experiment, but rather a reflection of her ongoing exploration of the interplay between human authorship and machine-generated text.
- Qudan Rie's novel, "Tokyo dojōtō" (or "Sympathy Tower Tokyo"), has connected readers worldwide, with translations planned for at least seven markets, including Russia and the United States.
- In a significant move, Qudan used artificial intelligence (AI) to write about five percent of her novel, specifically the AI’s dialogue, which has led to analysis and debates about AI's place in literature and creativity.
- Qudan regards the body and literary style as closely intertwined, and her gym work and bodybuilding have influenced her prose, prioritizing rhythm over literal meaning in translation of her work.
- Qudan's novel, "Sympathy Tower Tokyo," has been winning accolades, having won the Akutagawa Prize last year, and its international translations and acclaim have made Qudan’s use of AI a notable example of AI collaboration in contemporary literature.
- The role of AI in the novel provides a criticism of contemporary Japanese society, singling out the growing use of artificial, impersonal katakana terms and the loss of tangible meaning in communication.
- Qudan's subsequent collaborative project with AI, while details are not explicit, suggests a continued exploration of AI as a creative partner, redefining the borders between human authorship and machine-generated text in the arts and culture.
