Commonwealth Club of California Podcast A Conversation on Writing and AI: Once Upon an Algorithm
Dec 9, 2025
Nina Beguš, a UC Berkeley researcher, discusses her 'artificial humanities' approach to understanding AI's impact on fiction and ethics. James Yu, co-founder of Sudowrite, shares how AI can enhance creative writing, demonstrating practical applications. Award-winning writer Ted Chiang critiques generative AI, arguing it dilutes artistic intention. The trio explores the spectrum of writers' responses to AI, the importance of collaboration, and the nuanced challenges of disclosure and emotional expression in AI-generated content.
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Episode notes
Fiction Shapes How We Imagine AI
- Fiction shapes cultural imaginaries that influence AI development and public perception.
- Treating machines as human copies limits their machinic potential and creativity.
Early GPT-3 Epiphany
- James Yu first used GPT-3 in 2019 and was skeptical until hands-on experimentation changed his view.
- He found the model reflected his prose and helped him understand his own writing more deeply.
Art Needs Concentrated Intention
- Ted Chiang argues art is concentrated intention and small-input, big-output AI dilutes that intention.
- Tools useful for art require complex interfaces and mastery, not instant results.
