Salman Rushdie says he has never used AI, warns it could replace writers but first it needs to learn comedy
When OpenAI launched ChatGPT in 2023, the reaction was mixed. On one hand, everyone was excited to see cutting-edge technology and what artificial intelligence could do for humans. On the other, fears began to linger about AI replacing humans in various jobs. One of the roles people were most concerned about was that of writers, as AI platforms like ChatGPT and Gemini could write everything from essays to novels. And since then these tools have become much better.advertisementHowever, famous writer Salman Rushdie believes that writers shouldn't fear AI — at least not for now — as it lacks one very important skill: a sense of humour. Speaking at the Hay Festival in Wales, Rushdie quipped that writers are safe from being overtaken by machines, at least until a bot can write a book that genuinely makes people laugh.'I've never tried AI,' he said. 'I pretend it doesn't exist. It has no sense of humour, you don't want to hear a joke told by ChatGPT. If there's ever a moment when a funny book is written by ChatGPT, I think we're screwed.'
Rushdie's comments on AI came during his first major in-person appearance in the UK since he was seriously injured after he was stabbed while on stage in the United States. The attack left him blind in his right eye, but he has continued to make public appearances and comment on developments in literature and culture.advertisementMeanwhile, writers have been among the first white-collar professionals to raise the alarm about the rise of AI and its potential to replace humans in writing work. In recent years, several prominent authors have voiced concerns that AI companies are training language models using their copyrighted works, without permission or compensation.In 2023, a group of more than 8,500 authors came together and signed an open letter to tech companies asking them to stop using their books for training AI tools.'These technologies mimic and regurgitate our language, stories, style, and ideas. Millions of copyrighted books, articles, essays, and poetry provide the 'food' for AI systems, endless meals for which there has been no bill,' they wrote in the letter.The growing tension between technology and creativity is even prompting many in the literary community to call for regulation and transparency. Writers argue that while AI can mimic sentence structure and tone, it lacks the emotional nuance, lived experience, and cultural insight that define truly impactful literature.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
31 minutes ago
- Time of India
OpenAI finds more Chinese groups using ChatGPT for malicious purposes
OpenAI is seeing an increasing number of Chinese groups using its artificial intelligence technology for covert operations, which the ChatGPT maker described in a report released Thursday. While the scope and tactics employed by these groups have expanded, the operations detected were generally small in scale and targeted limited audiences, the San Francisco-based startup said. Since ChatGPT burst onto the scene in late 2022, there have been concerns about the potential consequences of generative AI technology , which can quickly and easily produce human-like text, imagery and audio. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2 Simple Profitable Strategies That Can Make You 5K Per Day thefutureuniversity Learn More OpenAI regularly releases reports on malicious activity it detects on its platform, such as creating and debugging malware, or generating fake content for websites and social media platforms. In one example, OpenAI banned ChatGPT accounts that generated social media posts on political and geopolitical topics relevant to China, including criticism of a Taiwan-centric video game, false accusations against a Pakistani activist, and content related to the closure of USAID. Live Events Some content also criticised US President Donald Trump 's sweeping tariffs, generating X posts, such as "Tariffs make imported goods outrageously expensive, yet the government splurges on overseas aid. Who's supposed to keep eating?". Discover the stories of your interest Blockchain 5 Stories Cyber-safety 7 Stories Fintech 9 Stories E-comm 9 Stories ML 8 Stories Edtech 6 Stories In another example, China-linked threat actors used AI to support various phases of their cyber operations , including open-source research, script modification, troubleshooting system configurations, and development of tools for password brute forcing and social media automation. A third example OpenAI found was a China-origin influence operation that generated polarized social media content supporting both sides of divisive topics within U.S. political discourse, including text and AI-generated profile images. China's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on OpenAI's findings. OpenAI has cemented its position as one of the world's most valuable private companies after announcing a $40 billion funding round valuing the company at $300 billion.
Time of India
37 minutes ago
- Time of India
Samantha Ruth Prabhu soaks up the sun in style during Abu Dhabi getaway
Picture Credit: Instagram Tollywood diva Samantha Ruth Prabhu recently treated her fans to a stylish glimpse of her vacation in Abu Dhabi. The actress shared a series of pictures of her 'No noise, no rush' holidays on Instagram that perfectly capture her summer vibe. Effortless florals and breezy glam In one look, the 'Kushi' star wore a long floral dress with an asymmetric back cut, exuding effortless elegance. She paired the dress with a large straw hat, tinted sunglasses, and gold hoop earrings, keeping her makeup minimal to complement the relaxed, breezy outfit. In another ensemble, she opted for a sage green co-ord set adorned with delicate woven floral motifs and lace details. Her hair was left open, and she accessorized with a different pair of chic sunglasses, maintaining a fresh and comfortable holiday style. A moment of peace She captioned her post, "Everything feels stripped back out here. No noise, no rush… just space to be." While Samantha's fashion choices grabbed attention, there's also been ongoing buzz about her personal life. Although she and her rumored partner, director Raj Nidimoru have not publicly confirmed their relationship, speculation continues to grow. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cos'è ChatGPT di cui tutti parlano? Courses AI Undo The duo has been spotted together at several events, seen visiting a temple, fueling rumours about their closeness. On the professional front, Samantha has been busy with her projects after a year-long break when she was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, Myositis. Her debut as a producer with the Telugu film 'Subham' has been well-received, and she even made a special cameo appearance in the movie. As an actress, she was last seen in the popular series 'Citadel: Honey Bunny', which showcased her strong screen presence. The series also featured Varun Dhawan and was directed by Raj and DK duo. She is currently working on her next web series, 'Rakt Brahmand: The Bloody Kingdom' and will also be working on the film, 'Bangaram' which features her holding a rifle with a fierce look. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
MAAC Leads India's Creative AI Revolution with Mega Student Training Drive
NEW DELHI: MAAC, a premier institute and a pioneer in high-end 3D animation, VFX training, gaming, and multimedia and a training brand of Aptech Limited, has recently concluded its landmark five-day training initiative on Digital Content Creation using Gen AI design tools at the Sri Satya Sai Auditorium, New Delhi. This timely program responds to the ongoing technological disruption in the Media and Entertainment Industry, driven by the rapid rise of Generative AI. With a legacy spanning 25 years and a network of over 120+ centres across India, MAAC is pioneering the integration of AI in creative education through this large-scale masterclass. The initiative has trained over 500 students in the use of prominent Gen AI tools, including ChatGPT, Midjourney, Adobe Firefly, Gemini, and Kling AI, among others. 'This initiative is a significant step toward empowering the next generation of designers and storytellers,' said Sandip Weling, Chief Business Officer, Global Retail Business, Aptech Limited and Brand Custodian, MAAC. He added, 'At MAAC, we are committed to equipping our students with future-ready skills that blend creativity with cutting-edge AI technologies. With the pace at which Gen AI is evolving, it's essential to not just adapt, but lead the change.' Mr. Deepak Choudhary, Director, MAAC South Ex, Delhi, quoted, "At MAAC, we believe the future belongs to creators who learn to work with AI. We are preparing our students to lead the AI revolution in digital content creation. With studies projecting that over 70% of media and entertainment content will be influenced by AI by 2030, it's clear that the creative industry is undergoing a massive transformation. From Netflix using AI to optimize content recommendations and script development, to Marvel Studios employing AI for visual effects and pre-visualization, the integration of generative tools is already reshaping how stories are told. Our initiative ensures that India's creative youth are not just prepared—but positioned to innovate at the forefront of this change.' Ten expert trainers conducted comprehensive sessions over the five-day program, covering fundamentals to advanced levels of AI design tools. The training features prominent Instagram AI creators such as Luv Sankhla, Deenu Khan ( Rahul Tiwary, and Divyansh Mundra (Mahabharat With Divyansh), along with leading industry experts including Ms. Vidushi Saxena from Adobe India and Mr. Vijay Shah, Director of Design at Physics Wallah. Master mentors from MAAC HQ in Mumbai were also part of the program, guiding students through the evolving landscape of Generative AI and its creative applications. In a world where AI integration is still new to many and concerns about job security remain, MAAC's initiative reinforces the idea that professionals will not be replaced by AI—but by those who can use AI effectively. The Mega Batch training stands as a bold first move in preparing India's creative workforce to thrive in the AI-driven future. MAAC is India's premier training institute for high-end 3D Animation and Visual Effects. Founded in 2001 and a major brand of Aptech Ltd, MAAC has trained over lakhs of students, worldwide. It has in total over 130 centres in India and abroad with cutting-edge infrastructure in over 65+ cities. MAAC offers industry-relevant career courses on 3D Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Multimedia, Filmmaking, Broadcast, VR & AR. MAAC courses are thoughtfully designed to provide students thorough insights about the dynamics of the industry. It provides real-life training environment to students, backed by excellent faculty, world-class infrastructure, and the latest technical tools. MAAC students are placed across all domains of the Media & Entertainment industry in India & overseas. With our job-ready courses, MAAC students are placed in leading production houses and studios such as MPC, Prime Focus, DNEG, Amazon, Redchillies VFX, Accenture, DQ Entertainment, Green Gold Animation, Technicolor, NDTV, IBN7, NY VFXwaala and Cosmos Maya amongst others. For further information please visit- Srinidhi Iyer, Corporate Communications, Aptech Limited Note to readers: This article is part of Mint's paid consumer connect Initiative. Mint assumes no editorial involvement or responsibility for errors, omissions, or content accuracy. Want to get your story featured as above? click here!
