Between Code and Canon: Rethinking Literature in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

The present article investigates the inevitable impact of artificial intelligence on literary studies arguing that while AI would not replace the real process of teaching and analysis of literature, it will greatly transform how readers may engage with literary works. Four key opportunities are first identified: reading support for complex texts, stylistic analysis in large scales, assisting with writing projects and improved accessibility for students with learning barriers. AI, however, has its limitations, too: it lacks emotional consciousness and lived experience, has trouble with structural ambiguity, does not grasp historical or cultural contexts and cannot inspire transformative experiences that are the true conditions of literary engagement. Pragmatic classroom strategies are proposed such as using AI as a sparring partner, engaging students in reverse-engineering through flawed AI-generated analysis, misusing AI as creative provocation, and reporting revision process through “cognitive assemblages”. The article concludes by addressing some ethical considerations and risks such as the demise of close-reading skills, homogenization of students’ voices, plagiarism and algorithmic bias. It ultimately proposes a balanced pedagogical approach that requires rather ban AI in literature classes while insisting on preserving literature’s uniquely human dimensions such feelings and emotions, questioning and being affected by literary texts.

کلیدواژه ها:

artificial intelligence ، literary education ، close reading ، pedagogical strategies