Youngest Southeast Asian literary laureate: AI can't replace human creators

Thai author Jidanun Lueangpiansamut, who became the youngest recipient of the Southeast Asian Writers Award at age 25, believes artificial intelligence cannot replace genuine, mature creators. She suggests humans should focus on how to coexist with AI rather than rejecting the technology.

Lueangpiansamut, now 34, gained recognition in Taiwan for her novelization of the film "Bad Genius." Her work often delves into science fiction, social realism, and BL (Boys' Love) genres. Addressing the rise of AI, she asserts that AI struggles to replicate humanity and should be viewed as a tool. Her 2019 science fiction trilogy, which imagined AI replacing human writers in 100 years, has become surprisingly relevant as AI's progress has accelerated far beyond her initial predictions.

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We can no longer stop AI; the real question is how humans can coexist with it.

"We can no longer stop AI; the real question is how humans can coexist with it," Lueangpiansamut stated. She views AI not as a menace but as a tool, emphasizing appropriate usage over prohibition. She noted that AI's learning speed surpasses human comprehension, and while AI might outperform novice writers, it cannot yet replace experienced authors. Lueangpiansamut explained that AI-generated text, though often grammatically perfect and stylistically pleasing, lacks genuine human emotion and thought, resulting in sentences that are beautiful but ultimately hollow.

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AI can write many beautiful sentences, but after reading them, you find there is no real content.

Beyond technology, Lueangpiansamut's writing also addresses the challenges faced by Thailand's younger generation. She observes that the pandemic has reshaped economic structures, with online platforms supplanting traditional businesses. Coupled with global uncertainties like wars and rapid technological shifts, many young Thais find it increasingly difficult to navigate their future. "The world did not return to normal after the pandemic ended," she remarked, adding that this unease affects adults as well.

Lueangpiansamut, who participated in a residency program in Taiwan in 2024, was deeply impressed by the island. She found that interacting with people from diverse backgrounds deepened her understanding of Taiwanese history and the varied memories different ethnic groups and generations hold. As a third-generation Thai-Chinese immigrant, she believes understanding history involves appreciating different perspectives. "Everyone can have good and bad aspects; we shouldn't view those with different stances as enemies," she said, reflecting on the increasing polarization in Thai society. She advocates for inclusivity in democratic societies, where liberals and conservatives must learn to live together rather than escalating conflict.

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Everyone can have good and bad aspects; we shouldn't view those with different stances as enemies.

Despite her success, Lueangpiansamut humbly describes her ability to live by writing as "luck." She advises aspiring writers to secure stable employment first, as writing requires not only skill but also opportunity and good fortune. She is currently adapting a previously unused television drama script into a suspense novel set within a wealthy Thai family, exploring intergenerational conflicts, which she hopes to publish this year.

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Effort is important, but luck is also very important.